It was a rare mix of music and tastes Tuesday night at Capitale in New York City, packed full of Very Important People and press, like myself, just pretending to be VIP, all invited by Hennessy to promote their cocktails. The music was the star attraction but the chance to hobnob with the stars and the free Cognac didn’t scare any one away either.
Leading the musical pack was dance aficionado Allison Goldfrapp, with her over-the-top psychedelic side-show, complete with keyboardists, lady go-go dancers dressed in leotards and wolf masks, and her own wildly shiny, deliciously tacky gold dress. It was captivating and funky and I dug it. It definitely made me want to dance, but after looking around, I saw that getting down with my bad self would only cause me to stick out like a sore thumb. So instead I swayed ever so slightly side-to-side tapping my toes in my 4-inch heels. Then after a brief pause (while Goldfrapp, her dancers, and her dress retired for the evening), The Strokes (pictured) hit the stage. By far the best show of the night! These boys are raw and real and unflappable. They had awesome energy and total control; they knew just when to let it out and when to hold back.
Although The Strokes rocked the house, Kanye West, backed up by DJ CarlCox, remained the subject of all the hype. I must admit I was curious.He walked out on stage like he owned it. He has a baby face that acamera can’t quite capture. He spent most of his set attempting in vain to getthe blasé crowd pumped. Even a special appearance by Pharrell couldn’t get the Very ImportantPeople going. I was impressed by Kanye’s ability to keep a smile onduring his show. I got the feeling that he found the whole thing a bitridiculous and half-assed it. Either way I enjoyed myself. The musiccouldn’t have been more varied, but it worked. All the flavas meshed,and it tasted pretty damn good, better than Cognac straight up anyways.
It’s not that often you can see such a mix of music in one night. If Icould pick my premiere blend of bands it would have to be a shot ofAerosmith, a splash of Scissor Sisters topped off with a squeezeof Snoop Dogg. The energy would spill off the stage! What musicianswould you pay to see together? A little Justin, some Willie Nelson, adash of Luciano Pavarotti? Come on, blow our minds and leave your mixbelow.
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Is that Julian Casablancas? He looks like he just stepped out of a TreSemme ad.
As for my dream concert, I’d have to have some cool rock (crazy Swedish lads, The Hives), a little dance pop (Latin hottie Thalia), and some soulful, piano driven ballads (care of Fiona Apple and Rufus Wainwright). That would be so odd but really awesome!
I would like to see Prince (my all time fav performer) partner with a band like Outkast and maybe Snoop. More agressive but still really creative and talented. And open to funk! It’s not really a challenge working (it) with Beyonce.
What is wrong with sticking out like a sore thumb on the dance floor? Probably a lot of people wanted to dance but none wanted to be a sore thumb so none danced. Lame.
I am thinking Sade, Shakira, U2 would be one of my dream concerts.
Hennessy Artistry Event: What Ever Happened?
Pic via EW. When did Ivan Drago join the Strokes?…
Seeing Robert Cray with Eric Claption was fantastic but I will go with Apoptygma Berzerk with Depche Mode, and Ministry. Like that’s ever going to happen.
As long as we are doing the impossible, i might as well dream: Massive Attack, Notorious B.I.G., Tool
Massive Attack, Thievery Corporation, Crystal Method, and Chemical Brothers.
Radiohead, Tribe called Quest, Bjork, Velet Underground,Wu Tang
Nice article! My dream concert…Galactic with The Stanton Moore Trio, Thievery Corporation, and then Railroad Earth feat. Hot Buttered Rum to close out the night! Two more things – dancing at concerts (especially when there are other let-loose dancers) is one of the most releasing activities ever. Shaking bootie like its no one’s business usually catches on like wildfire. My advice? Shake it anyways!