Last night I was lucky enough to see the gents from Vampire Weekend play to a sold-out crowd of preppies at the Terminal 5. The show was the band’s first in New York since hitting the road for a massive tour. You could tell that all of that touring has really polished the group’s sound and live performance. Not to mention the fact that Terminal 5 is an awesome venue. Getting back to the crowd, it was pure preppy insanity. Shawl collars, Barbour coats and bow ties abounded. My friends and I even spotted what appeared to be a whole gaggle of Ralph Lauren employees cloaked in all sorts of tweed. It was definitely my kind of crowd and a great show.
Many thanks and much respect to John, Josh and Jason from The Bowery Presents for hooking it up.
I really wish they would come to Memphis or anywhere remotely close to Memphis for that matter. If and when they do I will definitely be there.
Nice. I’m going Saturday night. Can’t wait!
My personal opinion is Terminal 5 is the worst venue of The Bowery Presents group (second is the face lift they gave North Six). Though, glad you enjoyed the showcase.
What time did they end up taking the stage? Going to tonight’s show. Trying to plan around a couple of things and don’t want to miss them!
Mayb they drew out their fellow Ivy League-ers. They are Columbia grads.
hey, im in these pictures! though i cant point myself out, haha. i was in the very front, near the bassist. i got some pretty good snapshots.
they went on stage a little bit after 9:15, which is when they said they would come on. go early. i was amazed i was able to get in front just by being 45 minutes early (before the teenagers, of course)
Yeah, ACL must not make it to many shows…Terminal 5 is one of the worst venues in NY and definitely as bad as Wburg Music Hall for Bowery Presents venues.
Yeah, ACL barely makes it out of the house. That guy is so stupid!
oh too bad we didn’t know ahead of time to try and meet up…
i was ballin in VIP though, you know how i do…
I don’t really get this music. But don’t hate me for that.
Anyone know the playlist for wed show?
Great description of the audience. I was there too and totally agree with you. Seems like many of the fans took extra effort in choosing what to wear to the show as a nod to the band and their preppy ways. Was much more refreshing than the giant American Apparel ad that was the Girl Talk show there a few weeks ago.
Also, I agree with you that Terminal 5 is a great venue. I can see why some don’t like it, however, I don’t see how anyone cannot like the Music Hall of Williamsburg. That is my favorite place to see music in New York. There is really nothing to complain about there, in my opinion.
Jamie, some things to complain about MHofWburg – meathead bouncers, mediocre sound, a renovation from North Six that stripped the place of all its character, basement “lounge” resembles a midwestern strip-mall bar, overpriced drinks for the neighborhood, etc. That said, Bowery Ballroom is the best place to see a show, in my opinion.
jason, your opinion is your opinion but I have always felt the security guys at the Music Hall of Wburg are extroardinarily nice for club bouncers. I also find it strange you call the sound there mediocre. Every show I have seen there has sounded amazing. I could keep going but to each is own. You have your opinion and I have mine. Thankfully there are a lot of venues to chose from in this city.
T5 is a great venue for its size. Obviously the more intimate a venue, the better it usually is, but this place has great sound for a big place, good sightlines, and most importantly, easy bar access where you can still watch the show. Can’t underestimate the importance of booze access. And couldn’t agree more on the crowd at the show that night. All the pretty preppies!
Terminal Five is a GOOD venue…not GREAT. GREAT left the building when The Academy closed. That was a GREAT venue.
Kinda cool that Vamp. Weekend is neo (hipster?) preppy in style.
Heard them on the radio a while back, really like their music, reminded me of the talking heads.
Hey check out more photos and the setlist from Vampire Weekend — Saturday 12/6/08 at Terminal 5 — over at WNEW.com
http://www.wnew.com/2008/12/vampire-weekend.html
Went to the Sturday gig and wasn’t that impressed. I almost felt like I could have stayed home and listened to the album with the same results