As you might recall, I released a Top 10 list earlier in June to mark the albums I thought were the best of 2009 thus far. Phoenix claimed the top spot with their new LP Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, a collection of the most downright infectious tunes I have ever heard. Even when Thomas Mars is crooning about heartbreak, he still manages to make me feel upbeat. So I decided that OF COURSE I needed to go see these Frenchmen when they decided they would make a stop-over in Central Park last Friday night.
Passion Pit kicked off the festivities. I’ve seen this band a few times now and they tend to be a little hit or miss, but Michael Angelakos managed to keep his voice under control and be incredibly gracious, not only the audience, but Phoenix as well, thanking them several times. The band even reverted to my beloved Chunk of Change EP for a few songs including “Smile Upon Me,” which I never thought I would have a chance to hear live.
Before getting onto Phoenix, a word about the crowd. Downright awful. I almost want to write a post about concert etiquette. For instance, don’t expect to come snuggle with your boyfriend center stage while three hundred people are trying to claim your spot. Also, there is no need for vulgar name-calling. Everyone is pushing. Deal with it. You would have thought most of the kids had never been to a live show before. (Also, everyone knew the new songs but none of the older ones like “Run Run Run” or “Consolation Prizes.” Shameful.)
But Phoenix more than made up for it. Opening with “Listzomania” and charging through most of the album (with a few oldies thrown in like the aforementioned tracks plus a personal favorite “Playground Love”), the whole set was stellar. “Love Like a Sunset” turned into a duel between Laurent Brancowitz and Christian Mazzalai, while Thomas Mars vanished for a bit only to reappear and hop up on the speakers. The show ended with a glorious rendition of “1901,” with the frontman coming down into the crowd to be hoisted on the shoulders of his admirers. So, merci Phoenix! It was a great night.
