neutral-park

Neutral Milk Hotel played two nights in Prospect Park, despite rain delay on Wednesday (setlists)

Last night’s rainy NMH show (photo via @brooklynvegan instagram)
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Indie rock legends Neutral Milk Hotel almost didn’t complete a 2-night Brooklyn run in a rainy Prospect Park last night (Wednesday, 7/23).

It was the latest chapter in the huge reunion we waited so long for, but are now spoiled by. It doesn’t seem like it was three-and-a-half years ago when the elusive Jeff Mangum first surfaced at a private loft show. Since then Jeff has continuously toured and played numerous festival and NYC-area shows, first solo and then with the whole band. Right before these shows was Pitchfork Fest, and they played SIX NYC-area shows earlier this year. Fun Fun Fun Fest and Merge Fest are still on the horizon. If you still haven’t seen them (what are you waiting for?!?), there’s always Boston Calling and a CT show in September too.

Tuesday night’s Celebrate Brooklyn ‘benefit’ show (7/22) was a straightforward outdoor show on a summer night in Prospect Park. They played 18 songs including a four song encore, though their songs are not very long, so some fans left wondering why the band played for less than 90 minutes and didn’t even come close to hitting the park’s concert curfew (the show was over at 9:35). Check out the setlist below.

Wednesday night was less smooth. Rain was in the forecast and rain it did, but rain is not enough to stop a show in a NYC park. This storm also included lightning though, and that caused the show to stop 11 songs in. An announcement was made that the show was over. People started pouring out of the venue, but a 2nd announcement was quickly made that the show will restart if the storm passes. By then, many had left, but a majority stayed. Umbrellas were in the air. Announcements continued to be made, urging us to go home for our own safety, or stay in the park at our own risk. Concessions were still open, so you could continue drinking beer, buying merch, and eating ice cream sandwiches from the The Good Batch (who by the way are opening a storefront in Clinton Hill soon).

Then, the majority who risked sudden death by falling trees were rewarded when the band returned to the stage after what ended up being a 20-25 minute intermission. Considering all that had happened and the now-more-spacious grounds, this ending felt even more special as Jeff’s voice cut through the warm night, under aeroplanes and over a sea of wet people that knew every word. The show, which ended up being 17 songs, still ended well before curfew (Jeff said goodnight to us at 9:55).

What did you think of the shows? Which night did you go? Did you go both? Check out both NYC setlists below…


July 22 setlist
I Will Bury You in Time (Jeff Mangum Solo)
Holland, 1945
The King of Carrot Flowers, Part One
The King of Carrot Flowers, Parts Two & Three
Naomi
Ferris Wheel on Fire
Two-Headed Boy (Jeff Mangum Solo)
The Fool
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song, Part One
Oh Comely

Encore:
Little Birds
Ghost
[untitled]
Two-Headed Boy, Part Two (Jeff Mangum Solo)
————–

July 23 setlist
Two-Headed Boy (Jeff Mangum Solo)
The Fool
The King of Carrot Flowers, Part One
The King of Carrot Flowers, Parts Two & Three
Naomi
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
I Will Bury You in Time (Jeff Mangum Solo)
Holland, 1945
Ferris Wheel on Fire
Song Against Sex

Rain Delay

Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song, Part One
Oh Comely (Jeff Mangum solo)
Ghost
[untitled]
Two-Headed Boy, Part Two
—————

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