Wu Tang – Front and Centre

Wu Tang Clan (Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon to be exact) played a rather hyper show for the opening of New York Fashion Week at Milk Studios last week. After a fairly fun evening of myself and a friend running from showroom to showroom upstairs armed with a radio slaved flash and camera (he held the flash a few feet away I held true camera – confusing the fashionistas) snapping some fairly candid pics of the beautiful people, we headed downstairs, consumed much of the free booze, before pushing to the front and centre of the low stage for what was obviously going to be a raucous gig. The three Wu Tang fellows took to the stage with typical swagger, and flanked by the usual number of hip hop show hangers-on, numbering about  twenty people who ranged from guys that were obviously friends of the guys, snapping pics and videos, through to an odd few in suits smiling sheepishly and whipping out an iPhone to shoot cute girls. This number doubled toward the end to the point where Method Man looked perplexed with an expression that seemed to say ‘Who on this stage is actually part of this show?”. Driving home the cream of the Wu Tang’s crop of killer bee tracks, it was a sweaty gig with an enormous crush, pushing fans on stage and over the speakers. But no one came for an orderly sing-song, so by the time the last rhyme had been had, all involved were hoarse in the throat from rhyming – band and fans alike. The group left the stage, a few hangers-on seemed to have picked up some groupies for later and it was out into the late night chill with ringing ears.

Punk poet legends

Last night was one of those moments as a music fan that you really do give thanks to be living in New York where some of these absolute legends started a music revolution through words and instruments. As part of Steven Siebring’s exhibition opening at Milk Studios honoring the various punk music poets of the 70′s and 80′s, the lady herself, Patti Smith read a devastating series of poems, including a moving piece about the first day of America’s invasion of Iraq that made one think how the bombs that fell affected the simple things in life for the innocents of Baghdad. But back to the music, Patti was joined by members of the legendary Jim Carroll band, her own band, her daughter on piano and Michael Stipe for an incredible rendition of Everybody Hurts (due to, by her own admission, that she forgot the words!) She honored the past of New York’s poetry and punk scene by either reading or singing songs by REM, Joey Ramone (a great acoustic version of Blitzkrieg Pop followed) and Jim Carroll. It was one of those nights you’d remember for years to come. Click on an image to see a larger version.

Q-Tip does Central Park

Another summer 09 highlight. No one can argue that the best part of living in NY in summer is how many free concerts, parties and events are on. Bands that you would have to fork over $50 to see back in Australia do free shows every weekend. My guess is you could pretty much go out all weekend and not spend a dime (as long as you hit a few open bars – tips not included of course!). Q-Tip in Central Park was memorable. Good times, good friends and good music. P-Diddy was there checking it all out, but he just HAD to stand on a platform at stage left to ensure he was seen by everyone. Douce bag, thankfully an onstage appearance that was threatned for 30 seconds as he attempted to climb on stage never happened. Not a Diddy fan I’ll admit..

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