blocpartybowery

Bloc Party @ The Bowery, Green Day @ Pianos

Bloc Party @ Bowery BAllroom

Bloc Party played the first of two shows at Bowery Ballroom in NYC Thursday night (April 7th, 2005). Thanks to Kathryn Yu for the above picture.

SCALPING

Tickets were going for $100 a pop outside the venue. The block was filled with people looking and hoping for a miracle. Kele (singer) asked the crowd who paid the most to get in. Someone in the front screamed $200. He gave them his laminated pass and asked him/her to sell it on E-bay to recoup some of that loss.

NO DANCING

The show was both awesome and frustrating at the same time (like being tied up and tickled?). The complaint? More people stood around with their arms folded than danced. (like Toronto) There was a small pocket of communal dancing and excitement going on in the front (which I eventually found my way to), but the rest of the crowd might as well have been sitting. My favorite line from Kele: “I don’t care what magazine you work for. You can have fun and dance.” (or something like that).

A few times I just closed my eyes, and pretended I was back at Roxy. There should be a mandatory open bar for an hour before every Bloc Party performance. I think that would have helped.

WHO DO THEY THINK THEY ARE?

As also reported at the Modern Age, Bloc Party thought they were funny by pretending to start songs, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, Radiohead, and Coldplay. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think Bloc Party’s intent was to pick on those bands and the people that like them. Funny? a little. Cocky? a lot.

INTERMISSION

After about 30 minutes of playing, Bloc Party left the stage. Was it over? No, it was just intermission. Either that, or the encore was really long.

SEEN IN THE CROWD

James Iha of Smashing Pumpkins (yeah, I know – New Yorkers are thinking it would be weird if James WASN’T there) & a member of TV On the Radio.

Mike Dirnt of Green Day with a fan @ Pianos
Green Day @ Pianos

AFTER PARTY

The after party was at Pianos. Bloc Party, Ultragrrrl, and Karen Plus One were DJing. I went right from Bowery to Pianos, but by the time I got there, there was already a line half way down the block. Not too bad, EXCEPT it was pouring. I had no umbrella, but waited anyway. By the time I got up to the list, I was drenched. Then my name wasn’t on the list. Luckily there were enough +1’s to go around, and I eventually got in.

I’m not big on after-parties, especially ones on a weeknight, but I’m glad I went. Bloc Party was (‘if you want to call it’) DJing and generally just hanging out with the full-to-capacity crowd. Iha appeared again. I think I saw Chris Glover.

The really interesting thing happened when I was about to leave at 2am (the same time Human Television was starting to play). I couldn’t help but notice Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt from Green Day hangin at the front bar with two large bodyguards close by. (Strange that I had just been talking about Green Day earlier in the day).

I’m a jaded New Yorker, but I still got excited at the sight of them in a bar. I’m not the type to approach celebrities, but I can’t say the same for my friend who thinks American Idiot is the best thing since sliced bread. Long story short, this friend and Billie were talking about the meaning of life with their arms around each other for about five minutes. My camera wasn’t working, so I unfortunately couldn’t capture the Kodak moment.

After Billie left, I ended up outside in a group discussion with Mike Dirnt. Mike is the most conceited, down-to-earth, guy you’ll ever meet. He was really, really nice, and had no problem just chillin’ with his fans. We asked him if he saw Bloc Party. He hadn’t. I’m not sure they even knew it was the after-party. They were in town to play Saturday Night Live (tomorrow). He told us about his plans for a few more albums, mixed with world domination.

Our party was eventually broken up by another endearing fan. I used that opportunity to finally get home and get some sleep. Thanks to Brian for the two photos of Mike Dirnt.

Mike Dirnt of Green Day with a fan @ Pianos
Green Day @ Pianos

NEXT

Bloc Party are back at Bowery tonight (Friday). Expect more scalping.

And the breaking news is two more scheduled shows at Webster Hall: June 14th & 15th. Tix not on sale yet.

Previously

Green Day playing Giants Stadium

Bloc Party @ Tribeca Grand Hotel – pics

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