TV on the Radio (TVOTR)
@ The Tabernacle
25-Oct-2008
Opening Band - The Dirtbombs
I
knew I wanted those seats to see TVOTR and specifically arrived very
close to the time doors opened. Guess what? The Tabernacle staff
closed off the side balcony seats forcing everyone to sit in stage
center. I got second row center, but there was a railing in front of
me. I was OK with the seats until I noticed Tabernacle staff open up
MY seats for the latecomers. Needless to say, I was peeved. Not a
good way to start the show.
Ok,
so I didn't really get a lasting impression of The Dirtbombs during
their set. They weren't bad, but their songs weren't that memorable.
BUT, they did do something I have never seen any band do and it was
pretty awesome. During their last song, they ended with a jam
session. The lead singer just walked off the stage. It seemed a
little weird, but he returned a minute later and started cleaning up
his area while the rest of the band continued to play. Then, the
guitarist left the stage and returned to help the lead singer clean
up. The bassist left and started helping clean up the stage too. They
started taking apart the drum kits eventually forcing both drummers to
play on one kit while pounding the rhythm. This continued until the
drummers only had one drum left and eventually the rest of the band
even took their sticks away. Once they had nothing left to play, all
their instruments and cords were cleared from the stage, but it took
only about 7-8 minutes.
This was my second time seeing TVOTR. First saw them in 2006 at the Variety Playhouse in support of their Return to Cookie Mountain album. They recently released Dear Science (even better than Cookie Mountain in my opinion). When I first saw them, I didn't know their music that well, nor did I know what to expect from this NY band. But, I was blown away by their energy and bought everything they had released. This time I was more prepared, plus had time to get acquainted with Dear Science before the show. They did not disappoint.
I recorded the entire set (yes, my arm was tired), but they are so good, I had too. Issues with filming: 1> The guy in front of me and his friends. He was practically comatose when The Dirtbombs played, but became a fist pumping fool when TVOTR took the stage. He danced and moved constantly so my videos suffered as I tried to find the best spot to film. Plus, his friends kept getting up to get more beer which only made them have to get up that much more to use the restroom. All things that created some filming problems. 2> No one was standing so I had to maneuver between heads and a railing. It was easier when people did start standing to hold the camera high above heads tilted down towards the stage.
Set List:
1.Young Liars
2.The Wrong Way
3.Golden Age
4.Crying
5.Halfway Home
6.Wolf Like Me
7.Dirtywhirl
8.Stork & Owl
9.Shout Me Out
10.Dancing Choose
11.Blue from Down Here
12.DLZ
13.Family Tree
14.A Method
-
15.Let the Devil In
-
16.Staring at the Sun
Highlights from the show:
1>
Golden Age into Crying - Have to say these two songs are really awesome
and Crying just may be my favorite song off of Dear Science. It just
has this 60s vibe to it. I think I may like Kyp's voice more than
Tunde even though they blend so well together.
2>Wolf
Like Me - This is their big hit off Cookie Mountain and it finally got
their crowd off their feet. I recorded the stage and crowd because I
loved the energy. I even saw this guy Kenny who is at every show
(older guy who wears lot of black and is always at the front of stage)
jumping and smiling. He usually doesn't look like he likes the music,
but there was no mistaking his enthusiasm during this song.
3>Shout
Me Out - Maybe it's because the people in front of me were gone for
most of the song, but I really felt a connection to the band during
this song.
4>The
entire encore (Family Tree on) - Family Tree is just a beautiful song.
I even saw it used for a youtube video of Christian the Lion (a video
that always makes me cry, but the song was very poignant). TVOTR said
they always love playing in Atlanta, which they probably say at every
show, but I must say this crowd was amazing. I love feeling like the
whole audience is there for the same reason. After Family Tree, The
Dirtbombs came on stage and played instruments during A Method.
Noisettes also did this when I saw TVOTR before during the same song,
but still a great vibe and peaceful communal feel. During Let the
Devil In, The Dirtbombs' drummers assisted TVOTR and added a preacher's
sermon like sound to the song (Like U2's When Love Comes to Town off
Rattle & Hum). Finally, TVOTR ended with their most popular song,
Staring at the Sun. They played it faster in a more "techno" dance
pace and it was a perfect ending because they left me wanting more.
Overall, it was a great show and I would go see them again when they come back to Atlanta.
Here's their set for your enjoyment:
