Producing shows is a theraputic process for me. I enjoy interacting with musicians, dealing with venues, and marketing the event prior to it's start time. I've been doing it for almost six years, and now have been responsible for five at SUNY Purchase. My biggest venture only a week away.
This event was billed as The Greatest Show Ever Part 2. The show consisted of Purchase musicians and bands who created cover bands of popular performers, bands that are still performing and bands that have disbanded. Modest Mouse, Interpol, Pearl Jam, Lady Gaga, The Ramones, and the Pixies we're all chosen to be showcased at The Student Center at Purchase College on March 20th, 2010. The reasoning behind the part 2 in the title, refers to to the second edition of the show. The first show, which occurred last year was a monumental success, it received positive reviews from the campus.
When I began posting about the show a couple of months ago on my facebook page. I received numerous suggestions about interested parties wanting to perform at the show. Although I received more than 15 suggestions, I had to consolidate for performance punctuality, and confirmed 6 bands for the bill.
The perspective from the promoter or producer of a production is one that is usually unheard of. I think that my outlook as the one responsible for the show will provide the reader a vision that may have not been considered, as opposed to somoene who went as a spectator. Although I interacted with the performers, I also interacted with most of the crowd, which consisted of friends, aquaintinces, ex-girlfriends, and people I have yet to see at The Student Center. I received their insight on how they thought the concert was running, what they thought of the performers, and what they wanted to do after the show.
The performance, which began late (the expected time was 7:30pm) didn't begin until 9pm. Usually most shows at Purchase do begin late, so this was expected. However, the first band (Modest Mouse), was not content with going on first, they decided that they would stall before their assigned time slot. This did frustrate me, but I remained calm and collected, and soon realized that this would be a less than important occurance during the show. The band began at 9pm, and most of the attendees in the space immediately hurried to the main stage area from the space they were at before, most in front of the building. The stage is located near the back. The bands performed on the floor in front of an almost 8ft. stage, a decision I made to create more of a personal interaction with the audiance. The sound was level, except for one mic on stage right that kept cutting out and relaying feedback to the audiance. The bass player was noticeably upset and eventually unplugged the microphone, due to the ubearing feedback buzzing it had created. The remainder of the set went smoothly without any more disfunction, and I could tell the band was pleased with their performance, even though they had to they dreaded the time slot. This was acknoledged because of the praise they received from the audiance by loud clapping and yelling. Also, from the smiles and handshakes that were being transmitted through the group after the show.
The next band who performed (Interpol) are close friends. Three of the four members performed with me last year during the first edition of the show. Being a fan of Interpol, and supporters of my friends, I was in anticipation of the following set. Noticeably, the audiance became a little smaller, most people had gone outside to smoke and chat, however once the songs began, more people from outside began to rush in. I noticed a few female students even running to the stage area. One of the most entertaining acts of the night, Interpol, or Outerpol what the band coined themselves were dressed the part. Interpol, in most pictures and video are usually dressed in all black attire, with slicked hair and clean dress shoes. The bass player was even wearing a red arm band! A classic aesthtic component of Carlos D (the bass player of Interpol). The set went by a little quicker than the previous band, the songs were a little faster, and there was not as much speaking between the songs. I did receive a shout out, something that all of the bands called out, except for the first one.
As the sets progressed, I observed more people, mostly students arriving into the center. Especially more students who I usually don't see at most shows put on at the building or other places around campus where concerts are attended. I did make a valiant attempt to promote the show around campus using flyers. A tatctic that has not been used for most of the shows this year. I belive that using physical paper to promote, can be a little more effective than just an digital invite on facebook. I also noticed that people were talking about the event almost a week prior to the show, creating a small buzz. The word of mouth effect, definitely provided a helpful aid to bring in more than the usual amount of people for the event.
Next on the bill, was the Pearl Jam band that I would be playing drums for in one of the two songs they would perform, my younger brother filling the other slot. The song I would be playing was titled "Black", a lesser known track from the highly successful PJ 1990's album "Ten". Being "on the stage" provided another perspective to observe what was happening througout the show. After Interpol had finished, I had gone onto the mic in front of the stage area to announce that I would be playing drums, and the setup time would be limited. Most people decided to stay, interested to see what was about to occur. I have little training in performing on drums, but I am however somewhat experienced in performing at concerts. After the set-up was finished, we performed the song, that we had only practiced twice before the actual performance. I could feel the pressure of attention on myself, as well as the rest of the performers in the band. To be in front of people and to be performing creates a rush of adrenaline that can be found nowhere else, or nowhere that I've found as of yet. The song had concluded and my brother took over on drums. The set quickly came to a close, applause erupted for Brendan, Rob, and Adam, as well my brother. After they had finished I asked for another applause while on the mic, especially one for my brother. I also mentioned that the Lady Gaga lounge cover band would be due up shortly. Most people, which included females remained in the position they had assumed for the prior performances, but crept closer to the stage in an almost succinct fashion.
Kris Wellman and James Madjeski (who also videotapped the show) are creative writing majors at Purchase. We've worked together in the past on shows, and they consistently bring they're humorous effect to the performance that adds a colorful aspect to each show. This time James played the keyboard while Kris sang his renditions by Lady Gaga. As soon as the performance began, many people crowded the area, wanting to get closer to what they had seemed to be anticipating all week. The humorous take on serious pop songs, were a sensation that could be appreciated by Lady Gaga fans and those who don't seem to care much about her. Applause was rampant through each song in their three song medley. Photography and videotaping were occuring throughout the entirity of the show. However, it seemed as if this was the climax of recording during the show. The audiance was growing as the it got later in the night. Something I've noticed at most performance, not only at Purchase. The majority of attendees arrive later, an interesting trait that I never seem to understand.
The Ramones band followed and drove almost everyone inside the Stood (Student Center) closer to the main stage. The band began with the iconic "Judy Is A Punk", and never let up their immense and powerful stage presence. Like Interpol, The Ramones dressed up for the show. In leather jackets and sneakers, the band resembled punk godfathers of the early 70's. The singer even spoke as though he was Joey Ramone, with a deep and uncomprhensible tone, something the audiance seemed to admire. Although most of the performers provided the audiance with physical interaction, The Ramones were responsible for the mosh pit, the pumping fists, and loud screaming back from the audiance, a gesture that created an eccentric mood for the rest of the show. Although, I had been walking around the center interacting with different attendees during the span of the concert, I seemed transfixed on watching the band. I found myself upfront, next to Spencer (bass) yelling back at him the lyrics to most of the songs.
One of the reasons that I belive this show is so successful, is because it creates a feeling of nostalgia for people in attendance. Our generation never got to experience The Ramones, but somehow the majority of people still know all of the songs. Certain songs have enough power that no matter who is performing them, they resonate with the listener. This performance allowed the audiance a close interaction to something that they had never experienced before.
Before the next band was expected to go on, I went up to the microphone thanking the people in attendance, musicians, and the community. I spoke about how we should be remembering this time of musicians performing these songs because sometime soon, these people will be popular and well known. Having responsibility for a show to me is not just about having cool bands, but bringing a community together and I gave praise to the one that was in room on that night, exclaiming how much they had meant to me.
The final band left were the Pixies. Similar to The Ramones, most people in attendance had never got to see them perform. At this point of the show, the most amount of people could be seen surrounding the stage. Although the real band recently re-formed, the attendees at the show never had the opportunity to witness them in a space like this. I was 5 years old when they broke up in 1993. The songs performed were spectacular, and everyone including myself seemed to have smiles on their faces, singing back words, and enjoying this once in a lifetime moment that most people afterwards i spoke to didnt want to end.
By the end of the show, my feet were hurting, my ears ringing (even though I had earplugs) and my blood sugar level dropping. I hadn't ate anything prior. However, I was still very much honored and excited to receive praise back from some of the people in attendance. I had been told that "dreams came true" and that "this was one of the best shows I had ever played or been to." I was ready to go back to celebrate with my friends and re-count the past couple of hours with everyone that experienced it. I think the overall feeling was a positive one, I had done my job and had a wondefully memorable time doing it.
