Ramblings of a Redhead Music Snob

Blonde Redhead
Pantha du Prince
Webster Hall
11/3/10

Wednesday night was the first of two nights for Blonde Redhead at Webster Hall who hadnt performed in NY in quite awhile (save for some private shows). The stage looked amazingly beautiful with 9 gold umbrellas behind them that would eventually light up and dimmer throughout the songs. It definitely enhanced their music giving their music an additional lush, beautiful feel. Kazu came out and immediately put a mask on with blonde tufts of hair covering up the face of the mask. They opened with some of their new songs which Im not sure I yet like as much as their other material.

Slow and tenative the show started, but as the night went on the music sounded tighter and the band seemed to be having a bit more fun. While barely addressing the crowd, there were smiles here and there and shout-outs to friends up in the balcony. Amedeo wandered the stage quite a bit interacting with Kazu as she played her guitar. When she wasnt playing the guitar, she was dancing almost oblivious to the crowd in front of her. It was great to see her go back and forth between keyboards, to just singing, to guitar. They also had a friend join the band who also played keyboard and guitar. Watching them up close you also see how much an integral part twin-brother Simone is on the drums. It was great watching him drum away and really getting into the show.

The night was perfect with the beautiful lights adding to the dream-like feel of their show. Beautiful, lush guitars that almost sweep you off your feet taking you somewhere else. You could close your eyes and the music just captured you. It was also nice to have 2 encores – but seeing how they were listed on the setlist, it did take away from the authenticity of them.

The major bonus of the show was this had to be one of the best crowds I had seen in a long time. For the most part, it seemed like people skewed older than a lot of shows. They were also much more polite – talking kept to a minimum and not even a lot of photographers taking pics every 5 seconds. Everyone talked about when they first saw them, how amazing they still sounded and how excited they were to be there. Some newcomers raved about they were glad friends dragged them to the show. And then setlists were handed out to everyone in the front. No pushing, shoving, cattiness that Ive seen at way too many shows.

Pantha Du Prince was an interesting opener. I loved how he brough out wineglasses, and lots of water and infused it into his music. As he toggled with knobs, he also spent time pouring water into the glass and working it into the sound he was creating. After that – it became more use of the table using it for the drums. He was definitely creative and at times the beats were beyond catchy and he’d get caught up in it all and start dancing. Im not entirely sure it worked as the best opener (I could totally see him opening for Fischerspooner), but it was highly enjoyable.

Setlist:
Black Guitar
Here Sometimes
Dr. Strangeluv
Spring and by Summer Fall
Oslo
In Particular
SW
Spain
Will There Be Stars
Not Getting There
Falling Man
23
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Melody of Certain Three
My Plants Are Dead
Penny Sparkle
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Silently
Love or Prison