Title:Andrew W.K. In Concert By: Andrew W.K. Released by: House Of Blues, Los Angeles Released on: 03/26/02 Rating (out of 10): 10 Date: 06/01/2002
Best Show Ever. Andrew W.K. 5/31/02
Being a veteran concert goer, I was amazed at walking away from a show that gets the Holy Distinction of being The Best Show Ever. I knew I was in for something magical, but I wasn't quite ready for the sheer FUN it was. Darth Vader moment, "I'm feeling a presence I haven't felt since..." every Ramones show I've been to.
The energy level was on par with a Ramones show. If you've ever been to one, you know exactly what I'm talking about. That feeling of elation, the jubilation that life doesn't suck, and it can't ever get you down. The feeling that just wells from within, "Goddammit, I'm glad to be alive!"
The House of Blues, Los Angeles. The show might not have been sold out, but the place was packed. Standing room only, and on the general admission floor, there wasn't an inch of free space. From the end of the opening band (Incubus Rising) to the beginning of W.K.'s set, they were showing the Laker game on a giant screen that covered the stage. Final three minutes, we were down by four, and Andrew comes on. From the first song, "Party Hard," to the last song, "Don't Stop Living In The Red," it was a nonstop party. Three songs in, when he stopped to let us know the Lakers had won, the energy soared to even newer heights.
The setlist included every song on his album, I Get Wet, including "I Love New York City," only modified to reflect our town. I love L.A. City, indeed. An added highlight was a new song, "Breakin All The Rules." Short encore, one song. "Don't Stop Living In The Red."
I've mentioned the crowd energy level, but it was nothing compared to Andrew's. The man was on 10 the entire show. High on life and fun from beginning to end, and jumping around like a crazed monkey, Andrew seemed to be having the time of his life. The show may have been only an hour long, but he never let up. There were no politics, no posing, no swearing, and no message other than, "We're here for a short time, have as much fun as you can."
Wrapping up the show, he stagedived into the crowd, lasted a few seconds before crashing, and spent the next 20 minutes just living in adoration, surrounded by rabid fans who just had to touch him. Yes. I touched the monkey, and it was good. We were all invited to hang out with him at the Viper Room at midnight. Damn my luck at having work the next morning.
I got a shirt, I got a sticker and I got to touch the monkey. It was indeed, the Best Show Ever.
