Blonde Redhead @ Randall's Island

Since I have a ton of thoughts, insights and pictures. I'm dividing the acts into separate posts.

I had every intention of catching all the acts during Les Wild Arcade SoundRedhead Day at Randall's Island, but leaving my house at 2pm to plan to get there at 5pm was idiotic. I should have left Thursday. I was on the ferry passing by the island at 6pm, while Les Savy Fav was doing their thing. By the time I walked to the gates, got my credentials, went though security and walked to the stage, Wild Light and Les Savy were done and enjoying a post-performance beverage. Nuts.

In any event, Blonde Redhead was the first act of the day for me. I hadn't seen them live for nine years. Maybe I should pay attention to them more because they are going strong with their droning rockness. I thought they would be lost among the big powerhouse acts, but the three of them commanded the stage like the veterans they are. In their fourteenth year of existence, they were the longest running act of the day. Seeing them live, it showed that a few of the bands around today take their lead from Blonde Redhead. I'm thinking Asobi Seksu in particular.

With Amedeo Pace's contrasting massive guitars licks and subtle and seductive musings, he's the backbone of their sound. Meanwhile, the possessed Kazu Makino dances and slinks her way through their multi-lingual songs. It was far from dull. I will have to add so Redhead to my music palate.

I didn't realize until she took to the keyboard, but Kazu was sitting on a big inflatable dog during their set. Obviously, she's a dog lover because she brought her dog to the show and walking the pet around during the day.

Comments

[Leemore]

hey do you have a setlist for them?

[vitruviancurtis]

although she may be a dog-lover, the "dog" she sits on is actually a horse - she was trampled by one years ago.

and how bout a set list?

[Johnny Rock]

I thought Blonde Redhead was the odd band out on this show. Tedious and self-indulgent. Saw them at ACL in Austin a few weeks earlier. Didn't like 'em then, but it was murderously hot.
I was hoping i would change my mind at this show. alas, it was not to be...