When have you ever been to a show where the first thing the band says when they get onstage is, Hey guess what? Theres a tornado warning! In short order David Longstreth was informed that it had been downgraded to a mere severe thunderstorm watch but the atmosphere for the night had already been set. Greenish light, dark and heavy rainclouds pregnant with water (and happy to dump on concertgoers heads), eerie flickering light accompanied with (not so) distant flashes and rolling thunder, were Natures addition to the Dirty Projectors’ show at South Street Seaport last Friday night. I think everyone thought the show would be canceled, or they just didnt feel like braving the elements, because the port was fairly empty, the area in front of the stage holding just 50 to 100 rain-spattered faces and dark umbrellas.
Following Longstreths announcement regarding treacherous weather conditions, the Dirty Projectors launched into one of their most memorable songs from their new album Rise Above (Dead Oceans, 2007), Gimme Gimme Gimme. The lightning of the thunderstorms over Red Hook illuminated the masts of the ships, combined with the flashbulbs of photographers cameras, gave the whole scene a very surreal aura, especially considering the intricate vocals in the song. The two girls were perfectly on key and really surprised me, considering the fact that the sound quality at the Seaport is generally lackluster at best, but especially considering the rain. This was followed by Depression, which was a fairly appropriate song for the circumstances, given its sudden changes in tone and rhythm, and loud drums during the chorus. It was fairly electrifying, given the circumstances.
Following the first couple of songs, the rain eased up a bit, and the band continued to play. I think I heard What I See, and Rise Above, and No More, during which my rain-spattered notes are a bit bleary. In any case, the already eerie vocal harmonies, low guitars, and change-ups in key and rhythm really worked well with the dark clouds! The band picked up the pace a bit with New New Attitude from their EP New Attitude (Marriage, 2006). The stormclouds seemed oddly in-tune with the energy of the show, as they continued to play this energetic song the lightning strikes were more frequent and closer, at one point prompting bass player Angel Deradoorian to give it a shout out, saying Did you guys see that lightning? Thats like a once in a lifetime experience!
Appropriately, and sadly, the DP show was cut short after the song Imagine It due to the storm and the dangerous electricity booming around the sky over the East River. Needless to say, the show was a memorable experience and I think we all traipsed home afterward a little wet, a little cold, but warm and fuzzy inside. That said, I think that umbrellas at shows should be banned! Or rather stupid people with umbrellas they shove them in your face and forget that anyone is standing behind them, they drip on people, and are generally just rude and obnoxious. Down with umbrellas, up with Dirty Projectors they are flashy!
