Chicago Sun-Times critic Jim DeRogatis notes that this year’s New Year’s Eve offerings in his hometown are pretty lacking compared to previous years, at least as far as live performances go: “[A] quick scan of this year’s musical New Year’s Eve celebrations is ample testament to how much all of us are cutting back: I cannot recall a quieter New Year’s in Chicago in terms of high-profile rock celebrations,” he writes. The big shows on the docket include concerts by Jay Reatard, Local H, and the Dandy Warhols, as well as the reunited Hum. There are also a few dance parties on the docket.
New York has My Morning Jacket, Yo La Tengo with the Feelies, Blonde Redhead, and a Guns N’ Roses tribute band, among others. (The YLT/Feelies show is actually in Montclair, N.J., and were it not a probably-annoying-because-of-everyone-heading-to-”The City” train ride away I’d probably head out there. I’m still scarred by that night on the Long Island Rail Road with the puking Phish fans.) While talking to Dan about DeRogatis’ piece earlier today, I learned that the Tuscon area had shows by Los Lobos and Frank “That Annoying Guy Who Plagues The MLB Playoffs” Calliendo on tap. And my hawklike watching of blogger Mass The Soup has helped me learn that Joel McHale is performing in Boston that evening.
But I dunno. I never really enjoyed New Year’s Eve shows that I wasn’t playing in* for a lot of reasons—no chance to catch up with friends, being stuck in one place, way-inflated ticket prices. A friend and I did have an awesome New Year’s playing “spot the show this person is coming back from” in Penn Station about 10 years ago, thanks to Marilyn Manson, some jam band, and other artists all having engagements that evening, but I think that sort of enjoyment is very separate from going to the concerts themselves. And my aversion to going out extends to big huge dance parties, too: They’re often so expensive (and so filled with annoying people trying to make the most out of the open bar!) that they’re just not fun. I’d rather have a long night with friends, capped off by a big old splashy brunch, as a way to drop three figures in celebration of the year (finally, NOT SOON ENOUGH) changing.
Anyway, I have no New Year’s plans at present (except to try and hasten 2008’s demise along as much as possible), but I’m curious: What are you doing? Do you have a set show that you go to every year? Is the economy putting a crimp in your plans? And finally, do you even like going to New Year’s shows or dance parties, or are you more of a party-with-friends type?
Options quiet this year for rockin’ eve [Chicago Sun-Times]
* What’s up, 40 Watt Club?
I’d be totally down for this (AWK! GGD! Simonetti and Conga People downstairs!) if it didn’t cost $50. As such, no real plans from my group of friends yet.
I went through a phase where I went to big outdoor dance/electronic events in LA (some of which were really fun), but those days have passed. To be honest, I’m not sure what’s going on in my town … I’m planning on a nice dinner with my fiancee.
Jim DeRogatis is right, Chicago is totally lame this year. Justice is doing a DJ set at the Congress, but I think I’m quite over that.
So I’ll probably be staying in, and saying “Oh wow, 2009 sounds so futuristic” I do that every year (changing the year obv.)
Once again, I’m driving from Minneapolis to Chicago. Last year, it was to see the unbelievably unbelievable Jon Brion play at the Harris Theater (he rarely plays outside of LA). It was well worth the gas money. This year I’m going to the Hum reunion show, because they were one of my absolute favorite bands in high school, and I was never able to see their supposedly brain-exploding live show.
I won tickets to Giant Maximus in LA (big rave type show with Moby, et al). I’ve never done the big crazy New Years dance party, so I think I’m going to that.
Hopefully MSNBC will have another “Predator” marathon. Fingers crossed!
i’ve seen ylt on new year’s eve 3 times in the past 9 years (y2k represent!)and i can tell you that they’re marathons (ylt doesn’t start til midnight and usually plays for close to 2 hours) which don’t favor heavy drinking. i’m looking forward to seeing them again in an actual theater instead of a club (though i am quite fond of maxwell’s). oh, and the feelies and the vivian girls make for a nice appetizer.
wu-years eve at sonar in baltimore. as of late yesterday, the whole (well, still living anyway) crew will be in attendance. if ghostface is the only one to show up it will be worth the 65$.
@moomintroll:”Jim DeRogatis is right”
No matter how bad it gets, don’t admit Dero being right :).
I might visit friends in Portland. If the snow in Seattle (which, by the way, wouldn’t even be a problem were this a real city that INVESTED IN A COUPLE OF PLOWS SINCE THIS HAPPENS EVERY COUPLE YEARS rather one that waits for the snow to melt on its own while THE LOCAL GOV’T BURIES ITS THUMB UP ITS ASS AND SAYS “WHO, ME?”) continues this way, I may well not be able to fly home for Christmas in the first place, so I’ll certainly be able to afford a visit to PDX; if not, I will still try to go there.
Throwing stuff as Franz Ferdinand bring in the new year at the Falls Festival.
GWAR always plays in Richmond on NYE, but since I don’t care, I will be drinking at home, engaging in a Wii tournament with my closest friends. I’ve never lived in a big city that has good shows on New Year’s and I don’t like driving that night anyway.
@BillyChance: That’s exactly what I’m hoping for.
I haven’t heard of anything not annoying in Atlanta. I’m not big with going out with the crazies here. Usually there is some sort of Widespread Panic mess going on, which is enough reason to stay in. I’ve seen a few low cost and low rent DJs doing small “No Drama” club shows, but that’s about it. So basically, its not unlike any other night in Atlanta.
I did my throwdown Thursday night at the 40 Watt in Athens w/ Taking Back Sunday. Tour end party until the wee hours - and I think that is good enough to close out my 2008!
I’ll be doing tons of blow off of hookers’ asses in Las Vegas. Duh.
@Maciej: It did feel weird typing that.
For me, NYE is about getting drunk with friends and maybe making out with one of them eventually. Anything else that happens is an added bonus.
NYE is for amateurs - people who have no business being out ruining it for the rest of us, and most entertainers hate working that night anyways. That said, I am going out for the first time in years to see the Fabulous Thunderbirds at First Night. Eight bucks for Texas blues rock in the cold. YAY!!
Justice is playing at the Congress Theatre in Chicago — with a lot of the best local Chicago DJ’s. It’s a great venue and should be a great night.
@moomintroll: Oops. I didn’t read your post before posting below. I wouldn’t write Justice off. They played Chicago earlier this year at the Riv and were amazing.
i was seriously considering going to justice on nye in chicago. then i realized that the show is 17+. that’s right, not only do you get the chance to hang out for five hours with underage kids trying drugs and drinking for the first time, but you have the chance to go to jail for hooking up with a 17 year old. huzzah!
I got lucky and was just booked to DJ at a swank NYE gig in L.A.
What songs should be on my playlist?
I flew down to New Orleans on Dec 31st, 2000 to catch Big Star and The Posies at The Howlin’ Wolf that evening. So, as far as NYE shows are concerned I’m good for now; still basking in the glow from eight years past.
We prepared a handy guide to NYE concerts over at Hidden Track:
[www.glidemagazine.com]
I was at Ronny’s Garage in Chicago last night and DeRogatis was playing drums in a band named Vortis and wearing a PePe LePew shirt. I had totally forgotten about it until now.