Frank Ocean - Terminal 5 New York City 7/26/12

I would like to preface this short review by saying I am completely in love with Frank Ocean, his voice and (almost) everything he writes. The man is brilliant. His writing has renewed my faith in the artistry of music. 

It poured. Like torrential downpour. If I had been en route to any other show, I would have made my way home, but for Frank Ocean, I endure.

Terminal 5 is not my favorite venue in NYC. As a matter of fact, it is my least favorite venue. Unless you are at ground level there isn't much you can see. And although the beauty of music is you don't have to see to enjoy, the whole point of the concert/show experience is to be able to see. Otherwise, I could have played the CD while lounging in my living room with just about the same effect. Minus all the people...

Once I positioned myself to at least see a little bit, it was on. He was adorable. His voice is remarkable. True talent doesn't need effects to alter the sound of the voice either on recording or live. Frank Ocean needs neither. His talent is real. His talent is amazing. He seemed almost shy, not interacting with the crowd often, barely at all. Which makes me like him just a little more. The crowd, on the other hand, had no problems interacting with him. SCREAMS. Singing word for word tracks that had only been released two weeks prior! It was an incredible vibe. A feeling of community. Togetherness for the purpose of hearing this poetic man pour out his emotions via song.

I can't tell you any one song was better than the other, because they were all equally great. It would be hard to decide, so I won't...

Hearing quite a few Channel Orange tracks live, made me realize just how much of the album I had neglected. Shame on me. After the show, which lasted exactly 1 hour 15 minutes, I listened to Channel Orange from start to finish on my commute home.

Frank Ocean has renewed my faith in new music.

All I Need: Radiohead, Roseland Ballroom September 28, 2011 Review

I was indeed part of the desperate masses trying to get my hands on tickets to one of two surprise Radiohead shows at Roseland Ballroom September 28 & 29 2011. Though I was incredibly unsuccessful, and I have to admit, I continued to try well after the show had obviously sold out, the Radiohead God's smiled upon me when I recevied an email from a friend who had bought two tickets and was giving me first right of refusal to the second ticket. Without so much as a second thought I immediately returned the email with an emphatic YESSSSSSSSSS! Two painfully long days later and I am standing in line with my friend and 5,000 other people waiting til the doors opened to grab the will-call only tickets and claim my spot on the floor.

With a few moments to take it all in, I noticed my coveted ticket came with a special collector's postcard with the show's date and what appeared to be a serial number. I thought to myself, "won't this look amazing in a frame?" Oh yes. And I did so as soon as I got home.

As more and more people flooded in, it became apparent this was going to be a ridiculously packed show. I couldn't help but gaze up at the VIP section with utter contempt, especially upon noticing Jason Bateman as part of the crowd (did he have to fight with Ticketmaster to get his ticket?! Probably not...). But I waited patiently for the opening band, Four Tet, to finish. I kind of felt a little bad for them. Clearly no one was interested in what they were playing. Biding time til 10pm when Radiohead was slated to take the stage was all anybody on that floor was doing.

The first note. Thom's voice sounded crisp and clean. Colin's bass rattled through my chest. The two bald dudes on drums (one being, of course, Phil Selway and the other, Clive Deamer) killed it, Johnny, the awkward musical genius poured over his keyboard and Ed the giant guitar God, rocked. the fucking. house. Though it was impossible for me (5'1") to see anything from where I was standing, I didn't have to see them to know they were there. The set list (below) was cohesive and inspired. The King of Limbs, In Rainbows, Kid A, The Bends...and OK Computer's "Subterranean Homesick Alien"?!!!! A happy surprise to hear a track from my FAVORITE album. A track that the band hadn't played live since 2003. I appreciated the old, the new and the so new they haven't been released yet! I am excited for what's to come and am hoping, quite frankly, praying, a full US tour is on the books for 2012.

photo credit: Penny Lane

The evening made me happy. I danced my little heart out. I sang at the top of my lungs. And I sweat Radiohead for their entire set. I am grateful to have been a part of something wonderful. And Thom singing "This one goes out to the one I love..." almost brought a tear to my eye...

And now...for the second portion of my review, I would like to hop atop my soapbox.

SHAME ON YOU DRUNK ASSHOLES...I watched a gentleman, probably six feet tall, get carried out of Roseland by his girlfriend, who was a little over five feet, while I was in line at the merch stand. You wasted not only your $80 but the chance to witness something only a small number of people were privy to. Your ticket would have been better off in the hands of someone who goes to see Radiohead not to get so fucked up he won't remember the show the next day but who will appreciate being part of something special. And. Oh I don't know. APPRECIATE THE MUSIC! It is in fact why you came to the show, am I wrong? I wish I could say this was the only instance of drunken asshole syndrome I saw but sadly it was not.

Take a moment to remember why we go to live performances. Show some respect for the artist you came to see, the crowd around you and, for the love of God, yourself.

photo credit: Penny Lane

To see videos and pictures from a much closer vantage point, go to www.brooklynvegan.com 

Radiohead Setlist - Roseland Ballroom, New York NY
September 28, 2011

Bloom
Little By Little
Staircase
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
Feral (Live concert debut)
Subterranean Homesick Alien (first performance since 2003)
All I Need
Everything In Its Right Place (with "The One I Love" intro)
Lotus Flower
15 Step
Myxomatosis
Codex (live concert debut)
The Daily Mail
Bodysnatchers
Reckoner

Encore:
Give Up The Ghost
The National Anthem
Morning Mr Magpie

Encore 2:
Street Spirit (Fade Out)
Nude