Short Experience: I arrive at NYC’s Megabus stop at 7:34. A quick google maps search tells me that it is a 30 minute walk to Webster Hall, or a 9 minute taxi ride. I decide to run, after accepting that I’ve been on the bus for the past 19 hours. At the door at 7:55, I ask the security where Will Call is - they point me to their direct left. Literally it’s the guy standing next to them. He gives me a photo pass and I rush in before Matt Pond started at 8. I meet Nick Karp in between Matt Pond’s and American Footballs sets. He tells me about his experiences and I’m all ears. My good friend Antonio gives me a call at 9:12, saying hes at the door - american football goes on at 9:15 however and the grand ballroom is hella packed. I leave regardless to get him, I mean, I don’t care if I can only shoot the first three songs. It’s usually two songs too many, and rather I just soak up the experience of being at the very front. I get back to the photo pit midway their first song (i believe it was one from their EP) to see 4 other photographers in the pit. I just had fun staring at their giant lp background. It was gorgeous. At the end of the third song a man in a suit gives me a hand motion to leave. Yeah I got it, I know how many three songs are, I can count. I’m the first one to leave the pit, making my way upstairs as Nick had explained how to get there. (He’s a real sweet dude if I hadn’t made that clear already.) Their last song was never meant, it had an exceptionally long intro that led into me (and the crowd) loving and screaming every word of it. At the end of the show I find my travel partner Nico, he tells me he spent $80 on beer during the show. Holy shit is my only response. He then proceeds to tell me about these Austrailian guys he’s met and how we’re spending the night at their condo. That story is saved for my trip report on my blog though.
Madison and I saw Simian Mobile Disco two Thursdays ago at Webster Hall as part of their “A Form of Change” tour and it was just incredible. Indredibile. Fantastisch. Incroyable. Thanks x100 to Danny for providing me with an extra ticket.
I have some serious respect for lighting designers, sound designers, or generally anyone who has to sit in the booth and sync effects while the hooligans on stage crash around to the screams of an audience that believes that spastic-er is better. I said this about the lighting guy at Brooklyn Bowl as well, but whoever was in charge of the SMD show was fucking super. Kept up with their music and added so much to the show.
James and Jas slayed by default and came back for an encore at the end of the show. If you haven’t seen their live show, just do it. It’s worth it. Their tour dates are here. Follow their Tumblr.
