Towards the end of the first set the band kicked off a smokin’ Henry Parsons sandwich with a tasty Green Onions filling. Jimmy Herring tore shit up all night, especially during the Parsons segment. The Athens-based band did a nice job of mixing up the setlist throughout. Of the newer songs, Angels on High was particularly impressive thanks to Herring’s funky leads and John Bell’s quirky rhythmic accents.
Once the first set ended things got scary. We looked behind us to see that a huge section of the balcony overhang seemed to be caving in. Members of the venue and band’s crew all put their hands on the crumbling roof hoping to act as a support beam. With eaching passing moment the floor became more and more crowded. I pulled in a muscle in my foot I didn’t even know existed. At that point I started thinking perhaps I should leave before disaster struck.
During the 50-minute plus setbreak the Irving Plaza staff rigged up some 2x4s to help support the ceiling. They also brought in an electric scaffold and jack, which seemed to help but took up a bunch of precious space. When the second set finally started a slew of fans pushed forward making the floor even more uncomfortable than it was in the first set. Towards the middle of the Space Wrangler opener the guy standing in front of me fainted. We had a hard time giving him room as there wasn’t anywhere to go. I have no doubt that if a member of the fire department was at the venue they wouldn’t have let the show go on. It was that bad.
The Jerry Joseph-written North got those who could move moving again. Widespread sounded as good as I’ve ever heard them post-Houser. Yet, I was struggling to keep two inches worth of space. I think I had a better time walking into Coventry. It got to a point where I couldn’t fight the crowd anymore. We all go to concerts to have a good time, and I wasn’t having any fun. My foot was throbbing and I finally gave up towards the middle of the second set.
Once I made my way to the edge of the crowd I finally found some space, albeit with no sightlines whatsoever. But I was a beaten man and had no energy left. I went home and missed what looks like a tremendous encore. As I walked up Irving Place it felt so good to stretch my legs. I’ve never been as miserable inside a concert as I was last night and I spent $90 for that privilege.
- Previously on HT: Downloads – WSP @ Irving Plaza 1995
– I –
Heroes > Disco > Angels on High , Smokin Factory > Fixin to Die > Henry Parsons > Green Onions > Henry Parsons > Dark Day Program , Pigeons , Ain’t Life Grand *– II –
Space Wrangler , North > Smokestack Lightning > Jam > Protein Drink/Sewing Machine, Let’s Get the Show on the Road > Airplane > Jam > Papa’s Home , Holden Oversoul > Conrad– E –
Expiration Day, Pilgrims, Goin Out West
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