This is actually an extended entry to the previous review. I'm responding to a poster on Goldfrapp's official message board where someone wasn't satisfied with my first pass-through. I neglected other factors like the venue, the people, the sound, the environment and whether Will Gregory was in attendance.
Okay...You've asked for it.
This was the first time I attended this venue. It opened September 2005 and is the fourth venue developed by AEG in partnership with Nokia (two in Los Angeles, CA, one in Prairie View, TX). If you read the venue's description on their site, it sounds like the theater of the future. Well, it is. I think someone has already mentioned the exterior LCD display marquis on the message board. So, I don't think I need to talk about that. Let's discuss the interior.
Once you enter, you take the stairs or escalator down to basement level. This is where I first encountered Will Gregory (the other half of Goldfrapp). He was heading up the escalator and I was walking down the stairs. Our conversation went like this:
Me: "Excuse me. Aren't you Will Gregory?"
Will Gregory: Turns. Quickly looks behind to see if I'm talking to someone else. No one there. Shakes his head and smiles. (Quite a prankster, that Gregory).
Me: Smiling and giving the 'thumb up', "Have a good show!"
Will Gregory: "Thank you!"
As I made it to the landing, I noticed AEG converted the concession stands to liquor and overpriced snack bars. Alas, no oxygen bars (That's actually across the street). But, there are two or three coat check rooms. Now, let me describe the theater.
The acoustics are amazing. The venue was once the Loews Astor Plaza movie theater and they utilized it's infrastructure well. The speakers are located at the top, near the rafters of stages left and right. This helped a lot since it minimized hearing loss at the end of the show. The floors are solid hardwood and the photo pit baracade is setup about three - four feet away from the stage (lots of room to move). There is seating near the back half of the venue. This is a pre-stadium seating type of movie theater, so imagine that and you get an idea of how large the venue is. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling, a vestige of the theater's past. There are two walk-up balconies and they make up the VIP seating section.
The opening DJ was Lenny Tee. I was told he's responsible for the NY electroclash scene and helped RuPaul find his career (because it was lost and thus, Lenny Tee found it). Lenny Tee didn't set the venue on fire but he did warm up the crowd. Some girl started shouting at Lenny to play some Goldfrapp to no avail. His set lasted for 45min and by 9:30 PM we hear a sample from Cerrone's Supernature
and that was our cue to get a little crazy and give it up for Goldfrapp.
Alison Goldfrapp and two dancers with their wolf masks/Nokia Theatre Times Square
Photo: Amanda Nanawa
The people who attended ranged from industry - celebs - press - concert goers. It was a well-attended show. I did catch a few people who dressed up or Cosplayed (Costume Play - for you non-anime folk) at the show. I did see one Cosplayer who definitely could've been on Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Lover's Tour. The fans on the floor were definitely in high spirits (either from the marijuana or four cups of Heineken) and the people at the front staked their claim way before 8PM. I read in Arjan's blog that he felt the fans weren't responding well to some of Goldfrapp's songs. I believe it was the opposite. Some people can disagree with this, but from where I was standing, Alison was definitely feeling the energy from the crowd. It really helped her get through her set (and minimize bitch-slapping the sound guy). I believe I read in an interview that it's very difficult for her to "talk" to the audience when she's on stage. She has something to say, but never could formulate what she really wants to say. So, instead, we get to hear her say "fuck" at least four or five times that night. When she shouts that in a festive manner, it means she's really digging the crowd. In fact, I'm sure that if a crowd coordinated a concerted "We love you Alison" shout-out, Alison will break down and cry because that is something she wouldn't have expected five - six, hell, a decade ago. As for the band...they were, as they say in Texas, el fuego (on fire). I did notice something weird about the sound during "Ride a White Horse." It happened somewhere during that bridge to chorus section (instrumentals and Alison's vocals mix in - that part w/o the lyrics) and it sounded like it went an octave lower??? But, what surprised me and the rest of the audience was that the song was extended and Alison added some lyrics at the end (or perhaps reprised one of the lines). Anyway, someone should confirm this b/c I know others must've noticed it too. Back to the band... kudos to Angie Pollock (keyboards, backing vocals), Davide Rossi (violin, keytar, backing vocals), Rowan Oliver (drums) and Charlie Jones (bass) for rocking out. Each one dressed in their own special glam rock get-up. Speaking of which, "Satin Chic" was well received by the crowd. And one other instrument was lucky enough to find it's way to Alison's body part - the star-shaped tambourine. She smacked it against her ass that I'm sure it made some people jealous (I'm just surprised that she even has the presence of mind to pick it up on cue and slap it against her ass). And now that I thought about it...she didn't perform "Lovely 2 CU".
While standing and watching, I heard some amusing comments from the people around me. One guy behind me asked, "Where is she from?" His friend answered, "England." He replied, "Can't be. She sounds like she's from Belgium." Another person next to me exclaimed, "Jesus is rocking on that violin!" (Referring to Davide Rossi on violin) And then another person exclaimed, "God! She's skinny!" Yeah. Alison is, isn't she?
After the show, everyone exited the venue and ended up smoking outside near the entrance - as if we just experienced some group orgasm but no one sent me the memo stating that. But, gentle snowflakes did begin to fall and that was quite magical.
Final comments - let's thank "danceswithhorses"...I'm sorry, "MyHorseIsCrying" for pointing out my incomplete review. Well, thanks for egging me. This won't make everyone happy, but at least I do reveal more than what I first wrote. Now I ended up writing an essay. Thanks.
