LIVE MUSIC, LIVE OAKS, LIVE DRUNKS
Dec 1, 2004 12:00 PM, Michael Hughes
The city of New Orleans never lets anyone out of bed at a reasonable hour. However, the lineup at the Voodoo Music Experience 2004, held Oct. 22-23 at New Orleans City Park, made it impossible for anyone to stay in their room to nurse a hangover. The weather felt custom-ordered for the weekend: warm but not hot, barely any humidity and deep-blue skies.
On the park's center island, surrounded by a glow-stick-green algae-covered swamp, Talib Kweli stirred up the expansive crowd with his literary hip-hop. Bouncing around the stage like a kid on a sugar high, the East Coast rapper drifted smoothly from one song to the next. Across the park (and coincidentally next to a “paint your breasts” tent), Northern State shared its New York rock-chick rap with a small but eager crowd. At one point, one of the ladies asked the crowd to raise their hands if they had bought their first album, and the pleasantly surprised rapper let loose an “Oh, shizzle!” at the sea of raised hands. Maybe it was the small stage, receptive crowd or beautiful day, but Northern State left more than sweat behind after their set.
In between the swamp and the Spanish-moss-draped live oaks, Sonic Youth rocked the stage with the grace of elders and the cool rock energy that many newly minted “it” bands strive for. Sonic Youth's music never seems to age, sounding as fresh and innovative as any rock band can. But the highlight of the fest was no doubt Pixies. The band's set was evenly balanced with songs from throughout its career. “Bone Machine” was met with a salute of hands holding cell phones connected to those absent from the musical sermon. When Kim Deal started howling the opening to “Where Is My Mind?” the audience went silent, letting her voice echo through the trees. And at that moment, it seemed that the crowd collectively forgot the Pixies' nearly 12-year absence. For more information, visit www.voodoomusicfest.com.
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