Former Pussy Riot-er Nadezhda Tolokonnikova had this to say at Barclay Center Wednesday night during the Amnesty International concert cum activism cut together: , “We have to remember that freedom is not a given.” And after five hours at this godawful show I know exactly what she means.
No, I’m not being fair. For one thing I left after 90 minutes thought still not soon enough enough to miss the Fray, though late enough to hear 8 song – all of which sucked. Plus Susan Sarandon who really needs to work on her tone of voice, I mean, really, can you get the fucking condescension out of your tone of voice for five fucking seconds. Yeah, you get to say “Pussy Riot” Har har, but no, and seriously, what good work Amnesty International and in prisons and the only… geez guys, a little sizzle here.
Much worse was Bono, the Police, Peter Gabriel and Bruce talking about the 1986 Amnesty tour. I dunno if they had a valid point, it was late, I’d had a crap day and I was sitting in the last row surrounded by… nobody. Quite why Ticketmaster thought this was the best ticket I could get I don’t know. What else? Some Union leaders… UNION LEADERS??? What a bunch of jerks, what a political left wing cluster fuck.
And the music?
Cold War Kids have one song, “Coffee Spoon” and needless to add it wasn’t one of the two they played. Colbie Caillat looks great and she is very sweet and I liked two of the three songs she played, “Brighter Than The Sun” and “Hold On”. But, she is a lot better at a lot closer quarters. The Fray on the worst band on earth.
I missed much more than that but really, I just saw Blondie a month ago, so I missed a three song set seen from 50 miles away?
As for Amnesty International: send a postcard, save a political prisoner. Not a bad idea, right? I agree with it wholeheartedly, I just hate hate hate being told about. It is excruciatingly self-serving and self-conscious., and really there must be a better way to get the word out. Also, some bigger names please.
Grade: A (Hey, I toldja I liked the charity)