What amazes me sometime is the vibe of a room and last night was no different. We got to the Minus The Bear show later than usual to find the corner that the Webster Theater sits on absolutely jam packed like I have never seen before. I’m not kidding between the police cars and the local residents setting out grills to watch the rockers and sell cold drinks this area of Hartford never ceases to amaze me.
As we wound our way to the back lot as always we found it full. I have to tell you I am a horrible driver. Horrible. I have no problem admitting it. So I was somewhat sad that my favorite parking lot guys weren’t able to just let me jump out and park for me. (ask the magpie, were like famous cuz one time it took me almost 20 min to get my car in a spot.) But the guys are amazing and actually escorted me to the secondary lot and helped me park there. Random shout out the the FANTASTIC guys of the Webster Theater lots. Silly isn’t it? But without them my insurance rates would be out the moon and well my car would be totalled and Id have missed a million shows.
What I didn’t realize is there were actually 2 shows last night, the Underground ‘small stage’ had Miss May I. Mainstage Minus The Bear. ahh now it makes sense.
Upon entry to the main area I was perplexed by the crowd. These weren’t alt rockers or indys they were bland as toast generic ‘humans’ and it was about 200 degrees in there.
Everest, the opening act I wont say much about. A bit self indulgent if you ask me. Long drawn out ‘jams’ are not my scene but the arrogance of yelling “Cmon now! Were supposed to be getting you excited to see Minus the Bear’, in a arrogant and barking tone made me want to scream back
‘then fucking play something worth listening too’. Do not yell at me, or your audience cuz they’re not enthused, instead… videotape yourself for the reason and solution.
Once they left, the crowd swelled (as if everyone knew the openers would suck!) and the people came alive. Finally FINNALLLY, I saw people cramming up to the stage and begin to turn that hot room into a rock and roll club.
I felt it too. Like the anticipation of greatness…for Gods sake the crowd cheered the light box and sound checks. Not kidding.
Once on stage Minus the Bear, was an arena band. They were huge, they were tight. The depth of their performance was surprising to me. But I do have some negative. During a particularly strange technical repair, the crowd began chanting song titles which was greeted with ‘dont start yelling at us yet, I don’t even know what your saying’ Great customer service there. I’m going to pretend it was sarcasm rather than arrogance cuz I love the band, and it would tarnish their performance to dwell on a verbal interaction.
The band keyboard heavy and enthusiastically played from their newest release Omni, referring to the fans as Pirates for downloading it early (though advertised and promoted even on blogs such as ours)
So, the Magpie will cover this show from a musical standpoint but shes a bit of a prima donna and must fact check and analyze. Plus shes still asleep.
Minus The Bear- fantastic show last night, I love your music more now than ever. But shut up and sing.