FROM THE MOMENT IT WAS ANNOUNCED that Vampire Weekend was coming, my reason for living has been to go to the show and love every second of it. Now that’s it’s over, I have two options: 1. Find a new reason to live. 2. Die. I haven’t decided yet which way I’ll go, but until then: let’s talk about the show.
Vampire Weekend came on a few minutes before 9 p.m. and played a good short set, and the whole thing was done by 10. Maybe it’s my age, but that’s my kind of show. Though I was admittedly a bit skeptical about whether the guys have had enough stage experience to really turn out a good live show, I needn’t have worried. They were awesome. They played hard, they played fun and they played to the crowd — and the crowd returned the favor.
Apropos the crowd: It was big and happy. I wasn’t sure what to expect with regard to audience turn-out, but the place was full. And yes, it was an all-ages event, but even that couldn’t ruin the night. And if I’m being honest, I actually kind of liked watching the goofy group of boys in front of us bouncing around awkwardly to a rhythm that only they could hear. There has never been a more coordination-challenged cluster of kids who’ve dared to flaunt their lack of rhythm, but dammit if they weren’t having a great time. I don’t even think they knew who was on stage. But it didn’t matter. They acted like it was the time of their lives — and it probably was.
Other highlights from the show included a high-energy version of the call-and-response song “One (Blake’s Got a New Face,” when lead singer Ezra Koenig got all rockstar on us with a fun, screamy take on the song; the crowd favorite “Oxford Comma,” with the whole room trying to sing along on the chirpy high notes; and watching bass player Chris Baio’s slick footwork. The guy can move. I wish I had been closer. The only time I would have taken my eyes off of him would have been to stare and Koenig’s shorts.
As usual, I was out-talled by the crowd.
I had a hard time getting any shots, much less good ones.
I couldn’t get his shorts (or a good face shot, for that matter), no matter how hard I tried!
To do:
1. Go to Art After Dark’s “So Sari!” event. CHECK
2. Check out Summer Sunday Sessions at Dave & Busters.
3. Go to the Vampire Weekend concert. CHECK
4. Watch the The X Files: I Want To Believe.
::SO SARI!::
What I thought would be a low-key evening at the Art Academy turned out to be the the party of the week. The place was PACKED. We got there a little early (dorks!) and thought we’d wait for the line to shrink before standing in it. Before we knew it, we had been waiting for an hour and the line just kept getting longer and longer. Finally I decided to use my guest-list status to help get us in (thanks Lesa Griffith!). I try not to do too much string pulling while I’m out and about because 1. It’s a misuse of my media status, 2. I don’t want the good people in the community to feel like I’m taking advantage of them and 3. I don’t want to look like a freeloading loser, but I just couldn’t bear to wait another hour to get in. I know. I suck. Sigh.
After cruising in the easy way, we surveyed the grounds, took a few pictures, contemplated standing in another long line to get drinks, thought better of it and then left without even getting to hear DJ Rekha. I know! I suck. Sigh.
Here’s the thing about Art After Dark. It’s too hot for my thick Euro-adapted blood. And I’m always miserable there because although the Academy grounds are wonderfully picturesque, it’s as if the place was built to keep out the tradewinds. The moment I step into that center courtyard, I can’t wait to get out. I know. I seriously suck.
::SUMMER SUNDAY SESSIONS::
I didn’t make it Sunday, but I’ll get there this week. Really.
::VAMPIRE WEEKEND::
The show’s tonight and I can’t wait. What I CAN wait for is a room full of underage kids. But I love VW more than I hate all-ages shows. And that’s saying something. I’ll post photos of the show tomorrow.
::X FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE::
How can I even call myself a fan? Shame on me for not making it to see this movie! Shame, I say. But for what it’s worth, I did see Step Brothers. And I laughed, laughed, laughed. I don’t care what they say, I thought it was funny. It’s not a cinematic triumph, but I didn’t expect it to be. I’ll post a little something on the movie later.
Here are a few photos of AAD’s “So Sari!” event Friday:
TO DO:
1. Go to Art After Dark’s “So Sari!” event
2. Check out Summer Sunday Sessions at Dave & Busters
3. Go to the Vampire Weekend concert
4. Watch the The X Files: I Want To Believe
::SO SARI!:: Art After Dark
Honolulu Academy of Arts
Friday 7/25, 6–9 p.m.
$10
21+
THE HONOLULU ACADEMY OF ART’S monthly themed party, Art After Dark, goes east side this month with an Indian-themed event. I’ll have to dig up my sari … and then dig up the courage to actually wear it. There’s something so poseurish about a white girl in Indian dress. But maybe I’m just being paranoid.
New York City’s DJ Rekha is the guest DJ, and if you were living in NYC in the 90s when Rekha launched her popular weekly party, Basement Bhangra, you’re probably beside yourself waiting for Friday night. The rest of us are in for a cool experience too. Rekha blends traditional Indian bhangra music with hip-hop to create super danceable beats. She released her first album, DJ Rekha Presents Basement Bhangra, late last year.
The event will also include a simulated street market of chaiwallas and henna demonstrations as well as Indian food courtesy of E+O Trading Co. chef Nick Salvi.
I’VE BEEN HEARING about this event on the radio for weeks now and have finally decided to go. And with D&B’s air conditioning and mojitos on special, how bad could it be?
***
::VAMPIRE WEEKEND:: Pipeline Cafe
Tuesday 7/29, doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.
$25
All ages
I KNOW, I KNOW. It’s hard to like a band that gets so much hype. But I do. I like Vampire Weekend. A lot. And I’m stoked for the show. And I still can’t believe they’re performing here at the height of their popularity. That never happens.
The TGIF interview with VW frontman Ezra Koenig hits stands tomorrow.
***
::THE X FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE:: Opens Friday 7/25
Get showtimes here
THERE’S A GOOD POSSIBILITY that this movie is really going to suck. But we (by “we,” I mean X-Files fans) have been waiting so long for a Scully-Mulder reunion, that I’m afraid we’ll take what we can get. But what if it’s awesome? Fingers crossed.
Nebraska band 311 has been booked for this year’s installment of Band Camp. The group will play the Waikiki Shell August 16. Other bands have reportedly been booked for the gig, but promoters Bamp and Star 101.9 aren’t saying who the additional acts are yet, or whether 311 is the biggest name of the bunch. Ticket info isn’t available yet.
I‘m not going to lie: This post started out as a rant. Because at precisely 4:54 this afternoon, Star 101.9’s Maleko announced that he would be making “a big concert announcement in about seven minutes.”
I’ve been pretty vocal in the past about what I think about that radio station’s “big concert” news. It’s rarely big news, so I’m always a little skeptical. But I wait for the announcements anyway because I’m a slow learner.
So today at 4:54 I waited. For 20 minutes. Twenty! Not seven. So yeah, I was annoyed and prepared myself for an announcement that Berlin was coming.
The announcement: Vampire Weekend is playing Pipeline Cafe July 29. Tickets go on sale Saturday.
That is great news. And worth waiting 20 minutes for. I totally forgive you, Maleko.
Vampire Weekend is the hot indie band of the moment and it’s great that we’re getting them now and not two years from now.
FROM THE MOMENT IT WAS ANNOUNCED that Vampire Weekend was coming, my reason for living has been to go to the show and love every second of it. Now that’s it’s over, I have two options: 1. Find a new reason to live. 2. Die. I haven’t decided yet which way I’ll go, but until then: let’s talk about the show.
Nebraska band 
