Showdate: September 8th, 2010
First night of MFNW 2010! Five nights this year. Five. Pedal to the metal. Chris and I are rocking it this year. Again. Look out Portland.
Lighting this candle with Panda Bear. So to speak. He’s breathing fire. At least I hope. I’m going to be honest. I’ve listened to Panda Bear’s solo output. I have numerous Animal Collective albums. I am highly dubious this is going to translate into a live show that will kick my ass. HIGHLY DUBIOUS.
I saw a guy with a wig, or his natural hair, teased into animal ears. There were various other offenses against endangered species. I’ve alerted various world tribunals to start an inquiry. They like it that way, baby. Hey, hey, hey.
Look, I’m just busting randoms because I don’t want to break the inevitable indy hipster cred killing news I have to deliver. This show sucks like a black hole.
Killing time at Lola’s room. Beered up, we start the trek upstairs. The highlight of the show is coming. You ready?
Guy: “Hey, you guys want to go to the VIP area?”
Us: “Sure”
Guy: “Sure you do”
Me: “You’re nice. Why us?”
Guy: “Because it is empty and I want to fill it”
See? Mom said I was special.
VIP area is to the right of the bar in the 21+ section. We waltz up to the rail. Like 10 feet away from Mr. Bear. Destiny. I didn’t see anyone famous in the VIP area. The two people I asked on the way to the bar if they were famous? Didn’t appreciate it. Let’s tear it down.
Lights drop. We are by the center area where the photographers start rumbling down to the stage like hogs being called to the slop trough. Suey! While they root, Panda performs in a gray hoodie locked firmly behind his sampler/keyboard. Someone considerately has passed around bamboo to nibble on as the video background spits out acid soaked images suitable for a show in the late 60′s.
During the first song, the video screen is mainly random patterns except for jump cuts to a guy who looks like Jesus contorting his mouth into an “O”. The next song? Jesus is replaced by jump cuts to a skull wearing a hood. While Jawa-skeleton plays out his scene, I ponder when I can ask Chris if we can get the fuck out of here. I mean, I get that I am supposed to be thinking some deep thoughts here. Or maybe I’m supposed to be tripping balls out of my mind on E. Frankly, I’m not into either here.
Here’s my trial balloon after song 4:
Me : “You having a good time?”
Chris: Laughs
Punk rock, bitches.
The crowd isn’t even moving in response to the music. Not my thing. I get this show in the abstract. And God bless everyone who went. Rock what you like, like what you rock. We showed our back early. The total upside to this show is the bass loops were pounding enough to give a prude girl a little shiver if she was plied. So, people on a proper date should enjoy Panda Bear. Don’t forget the E.
I wonder what the hell people are doing on the sunset strip right now? Maybe Chris and I should have looked into Bears of the dancing variety tonight instead of the Panda-ing.
Me in the parking lot: “Was that even a rock show?”
Chris: “No”
This show needs more of a performance art write up. I’m just too dumb rocker to get it.
(photos of all MFNW shows by ChrisT)
