If you’re looking for an example of good-sounding live music on TV—and I assure you, I do not write this sentence lightly—Jimmy Kimmel seems to have figured it out. It helps that, rather than having bands perform in the Late Night With Jimmy Kimmel studio, they play outdoors at the “Pontiac Garage” which, while kind of gross, does have acoustics that make it sound like actual bands are playing, instead of remixes that mute out selected tracks at random. In the above case, it also helps that Keri Hilson and Lil Wayne—and their band—play the hell out of “Turnin’ Me On.”
Which, again, might be kind of a weird sentence! But it’s true. Hearing the studio version afterward, I was surprised to realize that the parts were essentially the same. It’s just that everything is louder—especially the drums—and that makes a good song into kind of a great one.
Keri Hilson Performs “Turnin’ Me On” feat. Lil Wayne [YouTube; h/t Frank Kogan]
I watched this the other day. Three times in fact. The drummer was bringing it.
I think Pontiac Garage is just the catch-all sponsor name for the musical performances. They use three regular performance spaces on JKL, this one - an indoor bar area, the stage on the main set for small acoustic pieces, and the outdoor stage. They also use taped performances from around the country as Pontiac Garages. Good Charlotte did one I think in Times Square and Motley Crue did one from CT like a week ago.
L.A. resident chiming in…
The “Pontiac Garage” stage is set up on the back lot behind the El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Blvd, where Kimmel is shot.
It’s a pretty serious set-up–the production is up there with your better concert venues. What’s cool is that most bands use the opportunity to play a few more songs for the fans once the show is over. They troll band sites to get hardcore fans, and it’s always a fun time (if you’re into the act, of course).
L.A. resident chiming in…
The “Pontiac Garage” stage is set up on the back lot behind the El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Blvd, where Kimmel is shot.
It’s a pretty serious set-up–the production is up there with your better concert venues. What’s cool is that most bands use the opportunity to play a few more songs for the fans once the show is over. They troll band sites to get hardcore fans, and it’s always a fun time (if you’re into the act, of course).
L.A. resident chiming in…
The “Pontiac Garage” stage is set up on the back lot behind the El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Blvd, where Kimmel is shot.
It’s a pretty serious set-up–the production is up there with your better concert venues. What’s cool is that most bands use the opportunity to play a few more songs for the fans once the show is over. They troll band sites to get hardcore fans, and it’s always a fun time (if you’re into the act, of course).
L.A. resident chiming in…
The “Pontiac Garage” stage is set up on the back lot behind the El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Blvd, where Kimmel is shot.
It’s a pretty serious set-up–the production is up there with your better concert venues. What’s cool is that most bands use the opportunity to play a few more songs for the fans once the show is over. They troll band sites to get hardcore fans, and it’s always a fun time (if you’re into the act, of course).
L.A. resident chiming in…
The “Pontiac Garage” stage is set up on the back lot behind the El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Blvd, where Kimmel is shot.
It’s a pretty serious set-up–the production is up there with your better concert venues. What’s cool is that most bands use the opportunity to play a few more songs for the fans once the show is over. They troll band sites to get hardcore fans, and it’s always a fun time (if you’re into the act, of course).
L.A. resident chiming in…
The “Pontiac Garage” stage is set up on the back lot behind the El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Blvd, where Kimmel is shot.
It’s a pretty serious set-up–the production is up there with your better concert venues. What’s cool is that most bands use the opportunity to play a few more songs for the fans once the show is over. They troll band sites to get hardcore fans, and it’s always a fun time (if you’re into the act, of course).
L.A. resident chiming in…
The “Pontiac Garage” stage is set up on the back lot behind the El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Blvd, where Kimmel is shot.
It’s a pretty serious set-up–the production is up there with your better concert venues. What’s cool is that most bands use the opportunity to play a few more songs for the fans once the show is over. They troll band sites to get hardcore fans, and it’s always a fun time (if you’re into the act, of course).
@T’Challa @kurometarikku: Thanks! I am clearly not a regular Kimmel viewer, though I have liked all the performances I’ve seen from there.
I hope the loss of the flygirl dancers towards the end was permanent.