Ok Go hit the Bowery Ballroom in what proved to be a very memorable night of music, confetti and great stage banter.
Having heard from someone the night before that Ok Go fans are passionate and early arriving, I made sure to be there early but even then there were a dozen young fans that were there since early afternoon. The length of the line exceeded most gigs at the Bowery as the excitement mounted for what was to come and with it came a charged energy that stayed the rest of the night. DJ Lobsterdust opened up from the balcony with some unique mash-ups of popular songs and kept the early arriving crowd entertained, but he was mostly drowned out by the crowd talking about Ok Go’s antics.
Right before Ok Go took the stage a light colored meshed curtain dropped from the rigging, which confused me and immediately became anxious as my goal is to get photos first. My fears were for not, as even though there was a curtain between the band and the fans, they could be seen behind with adventurous graphics flashed across the mesh. After two songs the curtain dropped revealing the band and copious amounts of brightly colored confetti blasted from cannons and the ceiling. The curtain would return twice more and the confetti was a theme throughout, as a matter of fact I’m still finding it in my bag and clothing.
Ok Go is ultimately a party band and it seems that their goal is to give the fans an over-the-top artistic show while throttling them with the up-beat and inspiring music that has made them famous. At every turn something unexpected happened: an off the cuff Q+A session with the fans, and a “Hippie” part of the show where Damian Kulash serenaded the crowd…while in the crowd. The most unique part of the night happened when Ok Go and the audience made a song using claps, stomps and other sounds recorded with a phone and it turned out awesome! Both Kulash and bassist Tim Nordwind are hilarious and quick witted as well when bantering with the audience which shows that they love what they are doing and it’s refreshing.
Be sure to catch this dynamic band soon, their tour meanders through the south and back north, then eventually ends in Vegas in late October.
Article by: Shayne Hanley
Ok Go started the show with mesh screens in front of them
obscured view
Damian Kulash
Tim Nordwind
Damian Kulash
Tim Nordwind is a happy dude.
Ok Go
Ok Go
Droppin’ confetti like it’s New years Eve.
Freaking out with Damian Kulash in the crowd
Let’s here it!
Ok Go
Ok Go
Ok Go
Ok Go
Crowd participation is key with Ok Go.
Andy Ross with a Ukulele
Confetti bomb
Ok Go making a song from scratch with the eager crowd providing the sounds.
Ok Go
Ok Go
The “Hippie” part of the show.
Serenading in the crowd
Q+A time with the audience, there’s no set breaks with these guys.
Ok Go – Party Time
HEY!
