Even though this happened a week ago, I feel the need to put this in my blog so it doesn't seem all empty.
It was probably the best day of my life, first TMBG concert, first time meeting them.
I hope some of you saw me there, I was wearing a yellow shirt with a duck on it, like Homestar Runner, and I filmed the entire concert.
My mom woke me up at 8 AM, and we left the house at 9 AM. Train came at 10:25, and we landed in NYC at 12 PM. We went straight to Columbus Circle, and straight to where TMBG was performing.
To my surprise, I saw 2 people there setting up, one had glasses on. I didn't believe it at first, but the people were Marty Beller and John Linnell. I was going to have a heart attack. Pretty soon, John Flansburgh came, and I started spotting more people, like Marty's kids, and Robin Goldwasser and stuff. It was REALLY cool to have been within 4 feet of everyone there. The Johns also look so much older in person. I filmed 2 songs they performed at soundcheck, "Flying V" and "Apartment Four". While messing around at the soundcheck, Linnell had fun with the "Robot Parade" voice, and playing a bit of "Alphabet Lost And Found." Flansbo was also trying to find a microphone setting that would make him sound like he was on the radio, which foreshadowed
something...
My mom and I sat in the same spot until 3 PM, when the concert was starting. All the little kids and their parents got to sit on the floor in front of TMBG, and the adults without kids had to stay behind them. I got to stand to the right, and my angle during most of it was pretty awesome. As more people came, the more we had to move back. I chatted up with some cool people there, like the people standing next to us, and I met someone that co-runs TMBW.net. It was all really cool.
When John, John, and Marty started walking up there, everyone
started clapping and cheering. They started out the show with a pretty cool rendition of "Alphabet of Nations." I love how they tried to replicate the echoes by just screaming them into their Shure microphones. After the song ended, they joked about how some kids complained that "West Xylophone" wasn't a real country. It was pretty silly. Then they played "Apartment Four" for the second time ever, well live at least. Their songs from "Here Come The 123s" were a real treat to hear, as they were the first times they've ever played it live. Some kids pushed over one of their signs, and apparently everyone noticed it. The Johns joked about that as well claiming "we have really good insurance.
They introduced the next song as "a song we originally wrote for adults, but we somehow found it relates to children." They started playing the riff to "Doctor Worm", and in my excitement, I yelled pretty loud. That song's my freaking theme song. Rabbi Vole played a bass solo this time, haha. After that they started playing
"Pirate Girls Nine", another good "Here Come The 123s" theme. Linnell singing the girl parts was pretty funny. I like their pirate accents too. After that, all the little childrens sitting in front of us were told to stand up, which wasn't a good for me trying to film the concert. Flansy told all the adults in the back to lie down. Well otherwise, I was really glad because they were getting into "Clap Your Hands", which is a very enjoyable experience for anyone, even if they've never heard of TMBG. When Flansburgh screamed "Everyone scream again!", I heard a lot of silly screams from little kids, some kid screamed as if he was being killed, that gave me a really good chuckle, and Flansburgh probably heard it too, because he commented "that was such a bad idea, but thank you so much!"
The next part of the show completed my life to the max. Everyone started sitting down, and
John Flansburgh announces "we have a special treat from the imaginary drum riser." Marty took center stage to perform one of the greatest kids song ever- Alphabet Lost And Found. The whole concert I was waiting for it to be performed, because according to TMBW.net, the song was only played live 13 times, and it wasn't on any downloadable show. Marty enjoys dancing a lot, and interacting with the audience and Linnell. He has quite a good voice. Beller is my hero. After that they played "Flying V", "One Dozen Monkeys", "Particle Man" and "Bed Bed Bed." I'll tell you about them another day, because I'm tired. That was the end. And there was a little kid crying because they didn't play "Robot Parade." I was crying on the inside too. Stupid sound check teased me!
Meeting them was my favorite part. All 3 of them vowed to staying until everyone got what they wanted signed, and I found that really nice. When I came up, I was so damn happy. John Flansburgh looks at me, and says "Hey come up here." I handed him the covers to my "The Else", "Here Come The ABCs" and "Here Come The 123s" albums. I was really happy when he asked me what my name was, and the two Johns really made it personal when they wrote my name on my albums. I got to stand behind the two Johns (4 inches away!!!!) and take a picture. John Linnell wasn't looking at the camera, but who cares? I got to breathe the same air as them!
Meeting Marty was awesome. I got to talk to him a little bit. He signed a drumstick for me, and took a picture with me. His autograph says "Marty Beller! Drums!" It's the coolest thing ever. I'm so glad I got to meet the best drummer in the world, and my favorite musicians ever.
Oh, and the girl who lent me the red sharpie, I kinda never gave it back, sorry lol.
The entire concert and soundcheck is up for grabs on
my YouTube. You can find some more about this on
this page. A photo album will be up soon with the whole show. Thanks TMBG for an awesome concert!
Oh it's pointless staying up for even twenty seconds more
When everything has happened and there's nothing else in store
The thing is now to lay my head down, close my eyes, and snore
And so to bed directly I gooooo..........
Ludwig Accent Kit w/ Hardware (around $300)
Sabian B8 Cymbals (around $300)
