Three Shows:
Tuesday: GBV at Ottobar: I had a headache pre-show, it didn't get better. Spent part of the show drinking water near the bar, and left at the Encore. Hung with Vas, Chatted with Bagley, Saw Hutch, but he doesnt remember/recognize me. Excellent Poster.
Friday: Ted Leo & Rx with Frankie Rose on a boat in NY Harbor. Beautiful Friday night on the boat. Bands play on the first deck, 2nd deck is for food and bev, and top deck is both the smoker's area and the best view of the city and statue of liberty. Hung out top deck during most of Frankie Rose, who seemed cool but out of place on this bill - synthy pop... As the sunset occurred, the statue of liberty lit up and that was fun to see.
Ted & Rx were great; but I admit to bias. Awkward fanboy moment: I wore my Titus Andronicus t-shirt, and, okay, I know that the drummer Chris Wilson is in both bands, but I didn't know that Patrick Stickes and RJ (Bass player from Titus) would also be onboard. So I ended up being the guy at the show wearing the t-shirt of the band partially playing the show and partially attending....dork. Afterwards, walked around 10 mins and found really good pizza at Melani Pizzeria on Rivington near Delancey. Two slices of quality Pizza and a drink - $5.
Saturday: Toured the 911 museum. I had been to the memorial before but not the museum. It was a grueling but quality and necessary experience. Randomly, high school friend who I remember driving me and my girlfriend to see elvis costello at forest hills tennis stadium (or was it Jones Beach... it may've been both) and who was killed at the North Tower, is featured in a display case on the main floor of the main room of the museum. Freaked me out. Finished the day at Pizza Suprema behind MSG; best traditional NY slices IMHO.
Saturday night we saw Tall Heights, Ben Folds, Cake at MPP. Hadn't seen BF in many years. This time he was backed by Tall Heights (cello, acoustic guitar, drums, and harmonica). Solid set of songs from Ben and this band from Ben's various incarnations. Cake were great when actually playing. John takes a lot of pauses between songs, and seems to proceed without a real setlist. He spends around 9 minutes mid-set giving away a sapling to a member of the audience. He ran out of time so MPP had to bring the houselights up and the sound volume down for the 2nd and final encore song: The Distance. The vibe here was that John has FU $, and is not all that interested in entertaining ....
PS: learned that the concrete areas above the pavillion seating will become boxes, and VIP "lawn" seats next year, accessible via elevator only.
