Angels and Airwaves
opener (Mon/Tue in NYC): I Am The Avalanche
opener (Sat. in Boston): Damone
LOCATION:
Monday 5/15 and Tuesday 5/16: Bowery Ballroom, NYC
Saturday 5/20: Avalon Ballroom, Boston
PRICE:
$20ish
DETAILS:
CONCESSIONS:
T-shirts were about $20-$30 I think. I bought a hooded sweatshirt for $40. Soda at both places was $4.
VIEW:
MONDAY: Front row in front of Ryan. But due to a Jewfro and Ryan's mic stand, my view of Tom and Dave was obstructed. Also didn't see Atom at all because of the stage setup- the amps were in the way and he was buried between them because the stage was so small.
TUESDAY: Front row in front of Dave. View was great, though I still didn't see Atom. But I've made amends with that.
SATURDAY: On the side, slightly above the crowd, a few feet from the stage. Guess if I could see Atom. Did you guess "no"? Then you would be right.
PRE-SHOW VIBE:
Pretty chill-lots of people talking about the CD, wondering what they would play. I got there early before Monday and Tuesday's shows because I was determined not to be anywhere further away than their collective feet. Saturday I got there as the opening act started so who knows what it was like beforehand. I think it's safe to assume it was the same. I'd like to note that this is not in any way, shape, or form a violent crowd. I know this because a kid behind me kept shouting lame jokes at Tom, which I tolerated. But when he yelled "Tom- you're JESUS!" that was it for me. I turned around, gave him a dirty look of evil and said "Are you fucking kidding me?" and I didn't hear from him the rest of the show. If a little metal chick like me can dominate the average Emo boy with just a look and a quick cussing, then anyone can.
Going Saturday was a last minute thing. I decided to bid on a ticket at 1pm, won the auction at 1:30pm, left NY for Boston at 3 and got to the venue at 7:15 (doors were at 6). I was actually pretty calm when I got there because I just decided not to stress out about trying to get up front or missing the opening band. But I ended up seeing Damone and getting up close anyway, so that was pretty cool.
ATTENDANCE:
All three shows were sold out.
AUDIENCE:
I'd say pretty much 100 percent of the crowd was there because of Tom.
WARDROBE:
Standard emo haircuts for Tom and Dave, Buddy Holly glasses for Atom, and black eyeliner for Ryan.
STAGE SET:
Bowery was super squished, while they had more room at Avalon. They used a large backdrop with the logo and image of a plane, and for ambience added white flags (...?!)
ARI RATING (ADRENALINE RUSH INDEX - 1-10):
Frame of reference:
1= I sat in my chair motionless and felt no emotional connection
10=I walked out bruised and high off nothing but the energy of the show
10. The songs sound so good live, plus I was excited to see Tom in such a small venue, considering the last time I saw him play was Jones Beach with Blink 182.
SETLIST:
Took this myself.
HIGHLIGHTS:
The fact they successfully re-created the amazing sound in person just like on the CD, that Tom sang everything on key (I've seen him off with Blink), front row, getting to meet them after...all three nights were very cool. Also, I liked both opening bands, which is pretty unusual for me. They're both on myspace if you care to check them out for yourself.
I'd say "Distraction" and "the War" were my favorites (also my favorites on the CD). I wasn't really a fan of "A Little Is" or "It Hurts" until after I saw them performed live. Tom also performed "Down" by Blink and "There Is" by Boxcar Racer by himself on electric guitar, and both sounded great. Also, Tom mentioned "Restart the..." was about the Blink 182 breakup.
LOWLIGHTS:
I wouldn't say it's a lowlight, but Tom's dancing is cause for concern.
DO YOU RECOMMEND THIS SHOW? (YES/NO - EXPLAIN):
Only if you're in the mood to celebrate life and love. Normally I am not. But Tom seems to have seduced me into appreciating both. At least for the hour they take the stage.
SPECIAL BONUS:
Pictures from Tuesday night's show! The random kids/girl in the pic are people who didn't have their camera so I took the pics for them and emailed them. God knows where they live or what their names are:
Angels and Airwaves-Bowery 5/16
