River2River: Roky Erickson and Bang on a Can
Free outdoor concert series River2River kicked off this weekend, and I made it to not one, but two events!
Roky (which is pronounced Rocky, BTW, not Row-key) was at Castle Clinton in Battery Park. Unfortunately, due to poor planning, by the time I got there, the free tickets were gone. But we could hear fine sitting out on the lawn. The enterprising couple next to us brought a picnic. I wasn't so familiar with his music beforehand, in fact, all I really knew was this song, which was on the "High Fidelity" soundtrack:
In person, he was much rockier — and 40 years older. From what I understand, he's somewhat of a troubled figure, with a history of both mental illness and substance abuse. Neither was evident from his performance. Even from outside the venue, I could feel his energy and rapport with the crowd. I don't have much else to say, except than laying in the grass on a fine summer evening and listening to rock and roll has to be a perfect night out.
As we were nearby, after Roky let out, we strolled down the Battery Park City Esplanade (which is beautiful, you should go) to the Winter Garden at the World Financial Plaza (pictured above) to catch part of the Bang on a Can marathon. I have no idea who it was we saw, and I'm pretty sure I'll never hear anything like it again. It was pretty cool, though.
What I thought was really neat was the mix of people who were there. It really was like a slice of the diverse NYC population. Everyone was so supportive and the energy and wonder between the audience and performers was wonderful. We sat near two young (late teens/early twenties) boys who looked to be camped out there for the night. If you're reading this right now, they may still be there — the concert continues until 10pm tonight. It's an awesome totally New York thing, and I'm mad at myself that I've never gone before now. Oh well.
—eh, www.amNY.com
Comments (1)
hi, wow what a weekend i went to Animal Collective on friday, they played the same set as the rest of recent shows, most of the new album i think was played. they closed with leaf house( that song is on their myspace- http://www.myspace.com/animalcollectivetheband this was a show i was anticipating since your annoucement on this blog.
people did not want to leave after the show was over, the only bummer was Deakin wasnt there.
I also went to bang on a can, it was pretty incredible, i was there sat from 8:30 to 3:00 and again on sun from 1:00 to 11 pm, they ran late. i might write up all the bands later since if i dont i will forget and i hate to be the person few months later going remember that guy who was so good, whats his name, and no one remembers. so anyway- one higlight for me was Michael Gordons Gotham performed by TACTUS, accompanied by film by Bill Morrison, this work got a standing ovation, it was pretty incredible, check out this site, it talks more about it and you can listen to it: http://www.wnyc.org/shows/newsounds/episodes/2006/02/02
this was so good i immediately bought both cds of this mans work(at the merch table), cant wait to listen to them.
then on second day we all know dalek and yo la tengo, but here as well there were some amazing moments, - Vijay Iyer quartet - jazz that took off to another level- all the players were superb esp the guy on the sax. his myspace: http://www.myspace.com/vijayiyer
then i have to mention the finale- David Lang's men, performed by ICE and accompanied by a film of old NYC footage, this piece was written in the week of 9.11, it was so moving considering the location, and so intense. this piece was also for sale at the tables, and it comes on dvd so you can watch the movie and listen to the music. the name of the disc is elevated, and it has 1 dvd and 1 cd. this is so good, so sad and melancholy. in case you want to get it, you can listen to a bit here as well http://www.bangonacan.org/store/product/53
all in all, incredible, i will never miss one of these bang on a can events in the future, it was my first time as well (only second time they held one of these marathons btw- last year was 13 hr. maybe next year they will go for 3 days?