whoa... what happened?

I liked the show, but the crowd sucked.

postings from a month ago - "venue doesnt matter, a good band is a good band"

tomorrows postings -"i hate live nation (or whoever booked it) for moving it to bowery"

tomorrows posters 1
last months posters 0

i didnt see either of the first two, but tonight was a letdown.

i loved it...except if you're talking about when Bjorn forgot the lyrics to Amsterdam and they had to keep playing it over and over...

you f**** hipsters

I don't know what it was, but the show was definitely a letdown. The venue played a role and so did the crowd, but that wasn't it. It just felt like something was missing or just completely off. Plus, that encore was too long or at least it felt that way.

i liked the show, i especially like it when he forgot the lyrics to Amsterdam.

Not the greatest show, but it had some really great moments I thought. Yeah Bjorn forgot the lyrics and yeah there isn't really any good excuse for that, but they were all humble and I thought that was the song that connected most with the audience. The encore was definitely a let-down. I really enjoyed Paris 2004, and the whole band (I guess mainly Peter and Bjorn) looked like they were having fun--that counts for something, right?

the show was fine. i enjoyed it quite a bit.

brassbonanza... whalers fan?

Really BV? I hope your joking. I can't see how much better the Union Hall & Mercury could have been. I can't wait to see your rationale for this headline.

as someone who only saw tonights show i enjoyed it quite a lot. the chills was my favorite tune of the night. it did seem like things could have been a lot better though.

Complete disaster?? Wowzers, that's a unnecessarily harsh. I thought it was pretty fun and entertaining. Objects of My Affection and Up Against the Wall were a blast. Makes me wonder how "great" the previous shows were.

Go Whale!

I'm sorry - didn't mean to sound unnecessarily harsh to the band, so to be fair I removed "complete" from the title. The show was a disappointment though - the crowd, the energy, and something I haven't figure out yet.

Still writing it up, but long story short - half the crowd leaving before the end of the encore is usually not a good thing.

I hate when people leave before the encore, but I kinda wish I had as well. The show would have been more solid if they hadn't played an encore at all. Or if they had ended after the third, energetic song of the encore instead of playing a fourth, slow song that few people knew. Sad to realize the whistling is canned. And the banter was kinda weak. Like references to musicians (Swedish I imagine?) that went over the audience's collective heads.

But overall I enjoyed myself. "Objects Of My Affection" and "Up Against The Wall" were both very good. I imagine the other shows were better, but for someone who hasn't seen them before (or three times this week for that matter) it didn't seem like a disaster.

the encore was great. "teen love" was such a surprise and if only victoria bergsman had come back out for it. "does it matter now" and "i don't know what i want us to do" were both awesome too.

considering half the crowd leaving. be happy they didn't leave right after "young folks". that was the only song half the crowd responded to.

i try not to let the crowd get to me and i still had a great time. was very happy with the performance.

well i notcied a bunch of photographers leaving...
i thought the show was quite nice.

I SAW THEM AT THE MERCURY LOUNGE AND THEY WERE HORRID. THEY WERE FUCKING LIP SYNCHING THE WHISTLE ON YOUNG FOLKS. THIS BAND REALLY SUCKED SO SO MUCH. I HATE THEM. I WISH I COULD BEAT THEIR HEADS IN. THEY SHOULD WRITE CAR ADS.

I was upfront so I didnt get glisp of the crowd behind.

I think the encore was terrific. "teen love" being the highlight moment for me,(I was anxiously waiting that song).

And when the played the hit song,"young folks" with Victoria, from the concretes, I thought it was just incredible. And this great looking swed, Lars, came out with a the bongo...pure enjoyment!

I did happen to catch the drum machine playing along side the real drummer.The whistling was recorded as well, but what do you expect? he was jumping around a whole lot and if it wasnt dubbed the whistling would nt sound too good... I was mesmerize by Peter's voice.

I think the forgetting the words to Amsterdam might be a gimmick/shtick, since the same thing happened at Mercury. I've only heard the song about half a dozen times and I kinda know all the words, it's not that tough a song; so how is it that the guy who sings them hundred(s) of times forgets the lyrics in both NY shows? (don't know what happened at UH)

"don't know what happened at UH"

forgot them there too, but not as bad.

Peter reminded me soooo much of Gael Garcia Bernal's character from "Science of Sleep". The goofy mannerisms, accent, hairdo, and looks.... I don't know. Anybody?

Four tracks from the show over in my corner of the interweb. Looking forward to the full writeup. See you in the morning.

the vibe WAS weird, but isn't that usually the case with hyped, sold-out shows? it's to be expected. also, half of the people there were still steaming about the venue change.

i was in the balcony. it was alright except when PBJ were about to go on stage, these people who don't understand personal space showed up. they were talking loudly through the songs, but they grew bored and moved away.

i liked how the show ended with all the guitar feedback. it felt like a perfect ending. it didn't need an encore, so i left before it got started. great openers too. i feel that is what made the experience most enjoyable for me, when all the opening bands are just as good as main draw.

wasn't it kind of a letdown to see that he was lip-synching the whistle parts? and it was kinda of hard to hear Victoria's voice. maybe it was just a mini disaster? maybe people were expecting too much?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4UsqdKM_sw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmAcFbgVgYA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVndAYmCOD8

Just uploaded 3 video clips from the bowery gig.
Does anyone know what is the song title for the second clip?

So Bjorn forgot the lyrics again. Did Peter skrewed up once too? and John? I hopes what I saw at Mercury Lounge was natural and not a whole fake thing. Waiting for the review.

I was not a big fan of the setlist. I guess because I just got to know them with Writer's Block, but I would have permuted the order of the songs.

Bait and switch! Many of the crowd bought tickets for a ML show and then it was moved. Not everyone is a fan of a 600 capacity venue. Given a choice, they might not even buy such tickets. Venue does matter.

A while back, I called the people who had had Bowery Ballroom tickets "runners up". I Guess I was right, I see into the future(spooky)

Wow, glad I didn't take my friend's ticket for the show last night. I had a hard time believing all the stellar reviews from the first two shows after seeing the band on Conan. They seemed pretty lifeless and intimidated.

NYC hipsters suck. Seriously. You all need to get over yourselves quick like.

The show was great - I was at the front and danced like everyone else should have been. The crowd sucked, as has every crowd for every show I have seen since moving here to NYC. SF & LA may have weaker small music venues, but at least the crowds are not possessed with an attitude of being "above" the bands. Always looking down your noses...it is a shame. AND BORING!

The above poster is onto something, unfortunately... NYC crowds, for the most part, are mostly piss-poor. Everyone seems too concerned about "looking cool" and "not standing out" or doing something that will cause the coolness to disappear. It's befuddling, to say the least...

I was up in the balcony in the back and I gotta say, the music speaks for itself. Yes, they all fucked up at points, yes the crowd was "timid" but the Chills, Object of My Affection and Up Against the Wall still blew me away, as I expected. Was it a disaster? Only perhaps when laid next to our expectations. My friends kept complaining about the rigormortis below us in the crowd (move, people!) and I think I was only disappointed by the crowd, not the band. After all, they had to respond to us.

I will say one thing that stayed with me well after the encore: Peter really does have an incredible voice. I felt I got my money's worth just being able to hear it.

Skipping Paul Weller for a flavor of the month band??!!

One more note: I don't think it was the "hipsters" that sucked or ruined it last night. I saw and awful lot of non-hipsters chatting away like they were in a regular bar, oblivious to both the Born Ruffians and PB & J. I think the hype of the whole thing is to blame here, not any one stereotype. Looking back on my powershot video, I definitely had a good time, regardless of what happened at UH or ML the nights before.

I love people that continually complain about NYC crowds as if it's a regional problem. It's not. Not all music invokes a frenzy. Have you never been to a truly awesome show here? Generalizations like that make you look like an absolute idiot. PB&J didn't inspire my sweet sweet grooves last night but that's ok. Some music doesn't need to be danced to. Don't blame it on your neighbor.

Newsflash Walter Cronkite: SF and LA crowds are exactly the same and it has nothing to do with having "an attitude of being 'above' the bands."

"I liked the show, but the crowd sucked."
"NYC hipsters suck. Seriously. You all need to get over yourselves quick like."
"The crowd sucked, as has every crowd for every show I have seen since moving here to NYC."
"NYC crowds, for the most part, are mostly piss-poor"
"My friends kept complaining about the rigormortis below us in the crowd (move, people!)"

Wow. I go to shows to check out the bands, not each other (Am I the only one?).
While I agree that an energetic crowd can make a good show great, I don't agree that a lackluster crowd makes a really good show suck.
Loud conversations (catch up with your high school sweetheart downstairs at the bar), excessive picture taking (if it takes you more than 4-5 flashes to get a decent photo, you shouldn't be taking pics at all) and cell phone chatter is, however, unacceptable.
As far as moving, dancing, clapping and sing-a-longs go, everyone takes in a show differently: it has nothing to do with being a "hipster", New Yorker or anything else.
Chill out, relax and enjoy the music.

I went on tour with a huge band last year for a month and I concur--there are "bad crowds" EVERYWHERE--Portland, San Fran, LA, Chicago, Atlanta, DC. It's tired calling NYC as having hipster crowds--there are boring hipsters EVERYWHERE.

we liked the show very much. at first I was bummed that they tracked the whistling (where a lot of things sequenced?), but by the 3rd round of whistles, I didn't care.
they are sweet. and we had to leave early, the lil lady had to be at work at 6:45. AM

skot, I agree.

On the other hand, The White Rabbits were pretty awesome.

this band SUCKS!

i cant believe brooklynvegan saw this band 3 times in a row.... what a jackass!! lol

3 TIMES?

night and day. I spent the first half of the show up front and dropped back after Amsterdam. The crowd up front was great, I'm not one who needs to see a crowd dancing to know people are enjoying the show after all instead of dancing they are actually listening to the music. In fact I prefer it and its way better than a crowd who not only jumps around but screams during the songs. I love the NYC crowds because they usually care about the music and not about getting pissed and making a scene(although every once in a while that is a good thing). PB & J sounded great. Peter's voice was amazing. If I was to pick on the band it would be the order of the songs at times it just didn't flow right.

Once I dropped back by the bar it was like I was in another world. People not only talking but having loud conversations. There was two people at the bar who should have just went home they weren't even facing the band. I disagree with the commennts about people leaving, people only started leaving during the encore and thats nothing new at shows that end after midnight. I heard two people leave who said they had to catch the last train. Plus the palce was packed people leaving gave me some breathing room.

night and day. I spent the first half of the show up front and dropped back after Amsterdam. The crowd up front was great, I'm not one who needs to see a crowd dancing to know people are enjoying the show after all instead of dancing they are actually listening to the music. In fact I prefer it and its way better than a crowd who not only jumps around but screams during the songs. I love the NYC crowds because they usually care about the music and not about getting pissed and making a scene(although every once in a while that is a good thing). PB & J sounded great. Peter's voice was amazing. If I was to pick on the band it would be the order of the songs at times it just didn't flow right.

Once I dropped back by the bar it was like I was in another world. People not only talking but having loud conversations. There was two people at the bar who should have just went home they weren't even facing the band. I disagree with the commennts about people leaving, people only started leaving during the encore and thats nothing new at shows that end after midnight. I heard two people leave who said they had to catch the last train. Plus the place was packed people leaving gave me some breathing room.

Lemme take a stab at why shows like this suck most of the time.

I would venture to say that a majority of the folks at the show know it is a hyped show (not blaming - but no thanks to the millions of blogs like this which push certain bands ad nauseum at times) and buy tickets without ever listening to a damn song. Of course it's allowed, but in the end, the real essence of a live concert is the whole tranformation of the material from "in-studio" to "live," and that will never be experienced. So these people can afford to talk through the whole show as they are experiencing the show as a first listen.

The solution? More of these blog thingies should be able to acquire streams of the albums which they push. Those flash player thingies? I love the word thingie. This might eliminate some of the talking.

Also, bands should be more proactive about it all. I have been to shows where the artists tell the audience to quiet down and are not out of place to do so. They have fans they are trying to please and by these stupidheads talking, the fans lose out.

I'll type more later... but seriously... I feel all your pain.

what a horrible show.

great studio band, horrible live. they need to add a few touring musicians to fill out their sound. They sounded empty and lost on the bowery stage and their somewhat childish antics only made the show worse.

It was music that would have been good for tweens, not any descerning adult listener.

Oh Give Me A Break – you are so clever…

I speak only of my experiences – if others in this fair city have been to shows with buoyant crowd – great. If others have been to shows on the West Coast that have had pretentious crowds - wonderful. Yes, I realize there are boring hipsters everywhere! I had a conversation with acquaintances last night about this very same topic – and it is a very annoying reality in NYC. There is a feigned apathy in the whole hipster scene in this city - and it is worse in New York. And, yes, when you are 30 years old, at a show for a band you happen to enjoy and people are talking/standing lifeless/bored look on their faces – you get a little irritated. I have had similar experiences in the last 4 months with Camera Obscura and The Rapture.

Yours truly,
Walter Cronkite

http://idolator.com/tunes/peter-bjorn-%26-john/noncontroversial-noncontroversy-of-the-week-peter-bjorn--johns-whistlegate-232801.php

you all know then you've only got tonight for Paul Weller. Right? Get your ass in there! That's a show. By a great voice, with a huge catalogue, executed well.

Get there, all you so in the know hipsterati.

no matter what, nyc always finds something to cry about. it never ceases to amaze.

PB&J were endearingly dorky, and put on a good show. As mentioned above, "Chills" (which they gave a little motorik/Stereolab treatment) and "Up against the Wall" were standouts. I also loved Bjorn's bass tone.

I've been to hundreds of New York shows, and many of the crowds have been excellent. In fact, the bands often comment on how they love playing NYC. I wish there had been more hipsters in the audience last night - they may not dance, but they rarely act like the obnoxious drunken frat boys that were standing next to me and screaming through most of the songs.

live by the blogs...die by the blogs

You know, I was joking with some friends last night (I was only at Union Hall's show), that the bloggers will have decided all in a matter of three nights and one "comments" posting that PB&J are the best band ever and then, the backlash, to assert they are the worst this ever. I was right! Congrats on being so predictable.

who says this "Looking back on my powershot video..."

The only people that stand in the back at NY shows are the people who go to the shows for free: aka music industry fuckers. They have to make an appearance and shmooze in the back with the artists' labels. It is so fucking rude and inconsiderate to the actual fans that want to hear a band play.

Wow you people bashing the show are totally lame. It was a good (not the best ever, but jeez what is) show and they rocked out. I got the sense they were really excited to be there and that was so cool.
Stop crying about the crowd and venue. Everyone likes to experience shows in different ways, get over yourselves.

bashing the show? Hate to break it to you, but was incredibly average and I don't think any of the criticisms (like the backing tracks used throughout) are invalid in the least.

"Everyone likes to experience shows in different ways, get over yourselves."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA you're joking right?

The thing is... the people who DO talk? Are ruining MY experience... and I am sure that me standing there quite as a mouse (usually taping) am not ruining theirs. Eff you jerkwad... you're prolly one of those effers who like to buy 8 beers before the first act goes on so you can be totally waaaaaaasted duuuuude...

UGH.

not one mention of the born ruffians cover of grizzly bear

Decent show with a few really captivating moments (The Shills). I wasn't used to the stripped down sound at first, but I enjoyed myself. Great songwriting. I was impressed by P's guitar playing (some extra special noodling showcasing his musicianship ... great vocals)

I was in the balcony. The people around me were quiet and respectful.

Not sure what all the fuss is about. I apologize for not jumping around and getting sweaty. I was with my girlfriend and didn't want to gross her out.

I thought it was a lovely show but yes, where you stand is important at Bowery. I managed to get a primo balcony spot for the first time ever and everyone around me was attentive and happy to be there.

peter, bjorn and yawn

jason-

actually you being one of those people who are standing there (usually taping) are making MY experience a little worse. It's annoying to see someone standing there like a lump, and more annoying to see someone watching a LIVE show through a viewfinder. Then, if I get a little lively and start bouncing or dancing and accidentally step on your precious little toes, you get all pissy.

What's wrong with having 8 beers at the beginning of the show and being wasted and having a kick ass time? These are LIVE shows meant to be enjoyed for all. As long as someone is into the music and there because they love the band, who cares how sober they are? What's wrong with a little jumping and singing along and interaction with the band?

These are CONCERTS, if you don't want someone entering your personal space, stay at home and listen to the records and just look at the pictures of the show on the dozens of photoblogs the next day that are inevitably going to show up in the comfort of your own home.

Please let's get rid of these uptight people who watch shows behind viewfinders and encourage more people to be drunken slobs. It's a lot more fun.

what a horribly backward way of thinking about concert going. stay the fuck away if you're gonna be a dick to others. If it's about the communal aspect then don't fuck with the people around you. Jump around, whatever, but when you get so drunk that you're talking during the show or bumping into people a ton, you're the one in the wrong.

why stand at the back of a venue? makes no sense. also, it's comparing apples and oranges.

why did you stand at the back of the venue? makes no sense. it's like asking for a bad experience. also, it's comparing apples and oranges.

what do you look like? i'll seek you out at the next bright eyes show.

oh wait, I'd rather have my teeth pulled then attend such an event.

"Everyone likes to experience shows in different ways, get over yourselves."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA you're joking right?

"The thing is... the people who DO talk? Are ruining MY experience... and I am sure that me standing there quite as a mouse (usually taping) am not ruining theirs. Eff you jerkwad... you're prolly one of those effers who like to buy 8 beers before the first act goes on so you can be totally waaaaaaasted duuuuude..."

Ummm I meant like not eveyone has to be dancing and smiling and super excited to enjoy a show. I did not intend to imply that you have to be drunk and rude. And I didnt have any beer a-hole.

Don't you guys have some better to argue over? Why don't you all debate on whether or not White Chucks are the new Black Chucks?

PS I would totally go see PB&J again if they come back to town.

Wa wa wee wa. Ya know what? I am there for the music... that's all. I think there is nothing more fantastic than seeing a few people coming together to produce wonderful sounds in front of a receptive audience.

I never said anything about dancing. I don't mind that. It's the drunk f*cks who:

1) couldn't care about hitting people in their face while they flail about wildly demanding medical attention

2) spill beer all over me and talk loudly to their friends about how much they hate the band or a concert they went to 7 years ago

3) just refuse to shut up for one freaking second

that I have issue with.

Sometimes? Those same people have bought tickets becaue a show is hyped, and then I can't get my freaking ticket because the show sold out to these morons. I end up paying a scalper 10 times the ticket value to see a band I ENJOY AND RESPECT, and then have to endure this sh*t. See my point?

Problem is the douchebags who go to a show to say they were there to see an "it" band but really don't giva a crap about the music and just talk over the music the whole time.

Every time I go to Mercury Lounge, the same chick is there--standing near the back with her friends, practically SHOUTING her conversation.

>The only people that stand in the back at NY shows are the people who go to the shows for free: aka music industry fuckers. They have to make an appearance and shmooze in the back with the artists' labels. It is so fucking rude and inconsiderate to the actual fans that want to hear a band play.

actually, we go because we love the music... which is why we're in the business in the first place.

besides, why are you annoyed at us being in the back? surely you're front row center and can't hear or see us...right? RIGHT? :)

I was at the show last night. Sometimes in the back, sometimes more in the middle. Never saw overly drunk people...never really noticed people talking the whole time. Think people here just enjoy complaining. You people are all uptight. Relax. Have a beer.

Perhaps people are fogetting something here. It was a Tuesday night. A lot of people have to get up early on Tuesday morning and go to work for 8-10 hours. A lot of people have to wake up early on Wednesday and repeat that all over again. People spent money on tickets, drinks, some people bought merch. How much more do they really owe this band? Blow jobs? Also: It's Peter Bjorn and John, not Lightning Bolt. Are people really supposed to be going apeshit? Also, New Yorkers go out and support live music more than a lot of other people in a lot of other cities.

Show was clearly much better towards the front, people were jumping, dancing, clapping, singing along etc. They were nice endearing swedish blokes, and rocked out in a spot or two. Are they going to change your life or absolutely blow your mind? No. Do they sing some good fun pop songs? Yes.

NY crowds do suck - I always give a band that gets them moving major credit. They stand around with their arms crossed trying to decide if the music is cool enough for them to be seen slightly nodding their head to.

And I would say the encore was a let down after the finale of the inital set. (and whistling was definitely sampled)but my friend and i left saying it was a good time

>actually, we go because we love the music... which is why we're in the business in the first place.

besides, why are you annoyed at us being in the back? surely you're front row center and can't hear or see us...right? RIGHT? :)

Good point... and jason, you're still a whiny douche.

oh, a point about the whistling controversy...

he was obviously whistling along with a sample track, and was singing OVER the same track later in the song.

it was not humanly possible do sing and whistle at the same time, ergo, he needed a sample track.

is it really that big of a deal? why all this talk about "whistlegate"?

i'm sure seeing them 3 times in a row had something to do with bv's disappointment.

also - nyc crowds are pretty spoiled, for the most part. it's just a fact that has been confirmed by the fans and artists alike. the odd outstanding show does happen, but they're pretty few and far between. the more shows you go to, the more you realize the difference between crowds here and crowds elsewhere.

No I didnt give a crap about the whistling sampled or not, just was stating fact.

I had fun and thoughr the show, while not amazing, was decent all around. I didn't go to the previous nights so I didn't have anything to compare it too, but it certainly wasn't horrible by any means.

My only real complaint, dancing on the left side of the stage near the other equipment was that the previous band left a snare on or something and the damn thing was rattling all like a bee buzzing in my ear throughout the whole show.

My other complaint is the same complaint I always have which goes along with many of the comments above. NY crowds are kinda lame. It's not just that they don't dance, it's that they stand there cross armed and stiff as an effin' board. It is so much easier to move around people who are moving at least a little rather than constantly bumping into someone's elbow. It's kind of like trying to dance in a field of pilings with nails sticking out of them. It bugs after awhile. I'm not sure if this is a regional or not. My experience on the west coast was that people got down and didn't give a f*!#.

Ha..I think bands should skip NYC altogether. I've been in bands my whole life and NYC crowds are fucking lame.

Its insider / industry people that go to these shows and they pop in and out because its their job to say they went...

Every other city Ive ever played in, people appreciate a good show, they clap , they dance and even smile when the moment calls for it.

I'll stop my whining...and let this song do the talking...its called "Every Nights A Bust in NYC" and its about how lame party people are lately.

Oh well:
http://www.groupsounds.tv/bounces/NYC_newbounce.mp3

If ya dig it..the band is called GENERALS & MAJORS and we are opening for Mooney Suzuki at REBEL Feb 15th

Peace,
JG General

The show wasn't mindblowing, but I had a great time. They were just what I expected- charming, quirky, and humble. I don't think they needed an encore, but they sounded great so it wasn't bothersome at all. Who cares about their obscure (to us) Swedish references? They are Swedish. I found it nice to see PB&J assumingly being themselves, even if it went over our heads.
They seemed genuinely happy to be up there.
Though I am upset that I had to be at the Bowery show instead of the Merc. I feel as if the experience would have been different. Though I always seem to have to stand next to the couple frekaing and humping eachother at any venue.

The show wasn't mindblowing, but I had a great time. They were just what I expected- charming, quirky, and humble. I don't think they needed an encore, but they sounded great so it wasn't bothersome at all. Who cares about their obscure (to us) Swedish references? They are Swedish. I found it nice to see PB&J assumingly being themselves, even if it went over our heads.
They seemed genuinely happy to be up there.
Though I am upset that I had to be at the Bowery show instead of the Merc. I feel as if the experience would have been different. Though I always seem to have to stand next to the couple frekaing and humping eachother at any venue.

>actually, we go because we love the music... which is why we're in the business in the first place.

besides, why are you annoyed at us being in the back? surely you're front row center and can't hear or see us...right? RIGHT? :)

If you loved the music so much, why must you talk through the entire set? Your loud chattering during the show is obnoxious. If you really need to stroke the ego of a label exec, please just go to the bar downstairs.

Probably a good idea to avoid silly bands like this anyway. When BV doesnt shut the hell up about a band and Pitchfork gives a band too much buzz, stay the fuck away unless it's really warranted. It just attracts idiots who have no reason to be there other than to make an appearance. I went to see The Books at Webster and was TRYING to enjoy Jack Rose play slide guitar but the entire fucking room was loud with chatter and I was in the front. Luckily the lil scene boys and hipster bitches finally shut the hell up for The Books. At least they had respect for the band they came to see. Everyone go see Explosions In The Sky. They'll shut your stupid little faces up when they want them shut and they'll make you dance like a motherfucker when they see fit. Don't expect Peter Bjorn and they're duechebag buddy to be able to pull that one off.

I am a whiney douche. And proud of it.

I have been to shows pretty much everywhere and New York happens to have the most disrespectful crowd. And as for the dancing? Why can't you NOT hit me? I don't CARE if you dance, but be conscious of other people fer gawd sake, it's called decency!

I thought the show was fun. We missed the first band and the second wasn't my thing, but PB&J were a good time. I had to leave during the second song in the encore because it was late and I needed to sleep. We were in the front-center area and people were having a great time. One thing that struck me was how many women were at the show which was a nice thing to see. And I felt REALLY OLD. Especially watching the singer of the second band. He couldn't have been older than 18 with all that teen acne. PB&J sounded great and had a charming charisma. Nothing mindblowing, but I am glad they are getting some success since I like their records. Would I see them again? Maybe.

Best song of the night: "The Chills"

Worst song of the night: "Amsterdam" if only for the "forgotten" lyrics.

What saddens me is that people were there for the sake of just being there. I was unable to get a ticket, didn't want to deal with a scalper, and didn't want to try my luck at the door and it saddens me that someone who WANTED DESPERATELY to see this show didn't, while fortunate scenesterblipsterjipsterwhiteycrackerpantsjappyNYUlonghairs managed to get in and take it for granted. But that's New York for you.

I thought the band was pretty bad with the exception of 'the chills'. Was it just me or did it seem like if they stopped playing their guitars, sound would still come out of somewhere? Why is Bjorn even singing? There live performance reminded me of a teeny-pop fiesta. I'll give it to these guys that they have a few good beats, but as musicians, a lot was left to be desired.

I thought the band was pretty bad with the exception of 'the chills'. Was it just me or did it seem like if they stopped playing their guitars, sound would still come out of somewhere? Why is Bjorn even singing? There live performance reminded me of a teeny-pop fiesta. I'll give it to these guys that they have a few good beats, but as musicians, a lot was left to be desired.

"What saddens me is that people were there for the sake of just being there. I was unable to get a ticket, didn't want to deal with a scalper, and didn't want to try my luck at the door and it saddens me that someone who WANTED DESPERATELY to see this show didn't, while fortunate scenesterblipsterjipsterwhiteycrackerpantsjappyNYUlonghairs managed to get in and take it for granted. But that's New York for you."

First of all, you have no idea how many people were there just for "the sake of being there". That is not a trackable statistic so let's not just go claiming things out of the blue. Secondly, you just sound like a whiner that didn't get tickets. If you want to go so badly, get on Ticketweb and buy them on time. Bitch and moan...bitch and moan. No one's ever satisfied in this city.

whatever, jason. i grew up going to shows in d.c. where people actually knew how to have a good time. i guess i'm just being naive thinking these brooklyn crowds are going to have the same concert-going enthusiasm as the crowds at black cat or something.

it's just a little sad.

oh, and i never spill my beer all over people, however, i don't make any bones about not caring if i bump into someone.

like i said, if you don't want to be touched, either stay home or build yourself a bubble (and your american apparel clothing wouldn't look too good in a bubble, would it?).

All we care about is talking
Talking only me and you

the internet.
it brings out the douchebags.
the guy behind me wouldn't shut up.
when i turned around, his girlfriend said sorry, and then he just kept talking like he didn't give a shit.

people don't appreciate the experience.

they take the price of admission for granted.

they take nyc, the one place this swedish band place in the usa, for granted.

and all because of the internet, they take music for granted.

they get it for free online.

and as a result as a commodity it is highly devalued. it's having an impact on our society and how we relate to one another in public/communal spaces like concert venues.

this is a highly abstract, cultural / sociological argument that i am making, but i believe it based on what i observed last night and at past shows.

when the band played songs that were only available in this country as "leaks" - mp3s available from their unreleased in the U.S. album - they went absolutely bonkers, and it was fun. when the band played a song from their first album, the one that has been available for who knows how long in this u.s. on music sites like eMusic, the crowd came to a stand still.

people aren't paying for their music. we know this. they feel entitled to it, like it should be free.

thus the popularity of blogs like brooklyn vegan that feed this demand.

i'm sure someone will take some specific thing i mentioned to task, but i think there is something to the essence of what i'm saying, that is, the relationship between our virtual modes of consumption and the physical modes of interacting with each other in society.

my $.02

hey! american apparel shirts are really soft!

had a great effing time! peope don't dance no more- those people suck. what happened to having fun?

this is what happens when a band is undeservedly over-hyped (i'm talking to you BV!). Expectations are too high. This is why it felt like something was "missing". It's in your head.

it's true. they are soft. but they're priced a little HIIIGH.

it probably sucked because my exboyfriend was there. he ruins everything

>its insider / industry people that go to these shows and they pop in and out because its their job to say they went...

Every other city Ive ever played in, people appreciate a good show, they clap , they dance and even smile when the moment calls for it.

I'll stop my whining...and let this song do the talking...its called "Every Nights A Bust in NYC" and its about how lame party people are lately.

Oh well:
http://www.groupsounds.tv/bounces/NYC_newbounce.mp3"

as an industry guy who has been to many, many, many of your shows i can honestly say that i left 85% becuase you suck. the other 15% was because i had to goto other shows.

and btw, don't some of the members of your 'band' work at fuse tv? talk about industry schmucks :)

It's best not to get so worked up about this band. We'll all move on and won't see any more posts on them within a few months.

Speaking of which, I haven't read anything about Annie in ages. Funny how these things work.

>If you loved the music so much, why must you talk through the entire set? Your loud chattering during the show is obnoxious. If you really need to stroke the ego of a label exec, please just go to the bar downstairs.

nice sweeping generalization, this.

now go whine your way back to BK, hipster ;)

no, expectations were't too high. I saw them Sunday and they were a million times better than they were last night. really charismatic and solid musically start to finish, improvising and bringing the crowd into a frenzy. they brought down the house.

the crowd last night was terrible. the girl in front of me stood motionless except to take out her camera and take pics of her friends. there were so many LCD screens waving around it was embarrassing. people seemed generally disinterested from the start. the guys to the left of me talked the whole time, thrashed around during "Young Folks", then left a couple of songs before the encore. everyone behind me was talkin. you could hear the voices over the music and especially during the (too long) breaks. I wanted to ask people why they were there, to catch up with their friends? If I were a musician I would not have wanted to give my all to that crowd, but maybe that's why I'm a performer..

last night they responded to their audience - asking people in the balcony to be quiet and "did you guys get enough sleep last night?" the breaks were too long and they lost peoples already weak attentions. I still thought they sounded better than most bands I see. just bad energy between band and crowd.

Hats off to you, BV, for calling out a bad show. I, personally, don't get the hype.

mtv news "correspondent" john norris was there.

If you don't dance at least put down your effin elbows!!

"hey! american apparel shirts are really soft!"

Funny!

If you don't dance at least put down your effin elbows!!

"hey! american apparel shirts are really soft!"

Funny!

Oh we'll all look back at this thread and have a chuckle in a few years when BAND REFUSE TO COME TO NY.

:P

>If you loved the music so much, why must you talk through the entire set? Your loud chattering during the show is obnoxious. If you really need to stroke the ego of a label exec, please just go to the bar downstairs.

>nice sweeping generalization, this.

>now go whine your way back to BK, hipster ;)

wow, does calling someone a "BK hipster" inflate your sense of self-worth in your overpayed manhattan apt?

yeah 21+ crowds! this is what happens.

I enjoyed the show, although I was near the front of the house. It wasn't extraordinary, but I wasn't expecting it to be either.

I will say that people who talk through shows deserve to have their mouths surgically and permanently shut. This particular brand of white trash, regardless of socioeconomic status, is still nothing but trash and a total and complete blight on the city.

the show was overall enjoyable, but give your past posts bv, i think i was expecting something mindblowing. in fact it's hard to believe that this band can ever reach that level, considering the genre is essentially simple pop music.

the show had some great moments, my favorite being the object of my affection, and teen love, and the duet of their one big song was cute, though my entusiasm was dampended when in became apparent the whistling was canned.

nut yeah, most everyone here is right, the crowd did suck. it was the typical, talkative, i'm too cool to be here crowd. but for some reason yesterday, more so than usual, their attitude became a total buzz kill.

the best shows have less to do with the band per se, but rather the interplay between the band, the music, and an entusiastic crowd.

it's sad that come decemeber, we could all probably look back on the year and count the amount of shows where the crowd actually cared on one hand.

Hey BV, If you originally thought the show was a complete disaster, don't change your opinion or soften just b/c a bunch of people freaked out on you for saying so.
Good critics should be able to stand their ground even when the masses don't agree.

>>now go whine your way back to BK, hipster ;)

>wow, does calling someone a "BK hipster" inflate your sense of self-worth in your overpayed manhattan apt?

i'm sorry mr. BK. don't they have sarcasm across the bridge? you see, on the interwebs we often note it with these things called "smilies" or "emoticons" if you will. in this case it was a ";)" which means that YOU'RE A FUCKING IDIOT

better? ;)

I agree with Mr. 1:42,

Don't let this divisive thread discourage you from future reviews and opinions. Concert photos are nice, but I like hearing what the man behind the blog thinks.

I'm sure Sunday and Monday were so much astounding that they couldn't compare with a rather plainly enjoyable Tuesday gig.

God, I hate letting myself getting dragged into these, but here goes...
I've heard this twice in converstions, "I bought tickets to "So And So" and then forgot and now I don't even really feel like going." I see this in a lot of people; they go to shows and try to be a part of something they don't really FEEL.

The best example of this is Boris, who are a hard rock band, and what are you supposed to do at a hard rock show? Uhhh, RAWK! But no, both times I've seen them it's just folded arms and glazed stares. When a show I really want to see is coming up, I get all anxious, about to jump out of my skin.

Problem is that NYC is overpopulated (duh) with emoitonless, supposedly sophisticated people who are afraid of being silly. And it doesn't help that you guys complain about this when going to bands who play sophisticated, boring music, although I think PB&J are pretty great.

By the way, staring hard at a band is the same as completely turning your back The music is around you; feel it.

Next time you should get there early enough to get a good balcony spot. Not only did I get to see two of the best opening acts ever, but the crowd was actually having fun. I could only hear the talking in-between songs and I was getting a buzz from second-hand pot smoke. It was one of the best shows I've been to in a while.

Why haven't I heard of Born Ruffians before? They were awesome!!

there doesn't have to be a contest between people who like to dance and people who don't, does there? i don't like to dance, but i think that's ok. i cross my arms and probably look bored, but i am enjoying the music. can't we all just get along?