Central Park Review

[areusad831]

I found this on my computer figured I would share it since I never did before.


“I didn’t think it was going to be like this”, Raine (the lead singer of Our Lady Peace) exclaimed after the band finished playing one of twelve songs. I think the approximate 200 fans in the MSN8 dome on this evening never thought it was going to be like this either. While fans waited outside the gigantic unique structure the band could be heard sound checking. Actually as my friend Kim and I walked towards the venue, lost somewhere in the mammoth that is Central Park, we heard the distinct sound of Raine’s voice in the distance. We were worried that we may have been late but we checked our watches and confided in the time, which was 7PM and we still had an hour. As we finally reached our destination we saw what appeared to be a giant bubble in the center of what was once an ice skating rink. Shamelessly promoting Microsoft plastered their symbol all over the giant structure. We were not there to support the monopoly that is Microsoft but to support our favorite band. As we found the line we marched up to the table to obtain our wristbands which Kim obtained via the One Man Army. This night would have never happened if Kim did not know when “The Needle and the damage Dome” was released because I got the answer wrong. Just getting to the city was a four hour trip in itself but we were there and not thinking about the work we skipped to come to this once in a life time experience. At about 8:15 they began to let us into the giant dome.
Accompanied by some fellow One Man Army/Clumsy Congress/Clumsy Monkey members we were ready for some Our Lady Peace. We situated ourselves between Duncan and Raine. As we entered the multi-colored lighted dome we saw a small stage with 4 stools and a drum set situated on it. The thought of an acoustic concert brought shivers to my body. We claimed second row and watched as Jeremy tuned a bass? Eventually as the dome filled up, surpassingly not to full capacity, we anticipated the appearance of the band. The 250 fans were ready for the usual intro to “All For You”. Instead the lights dimmed and the band took their places on stage without any introduction. As all four members tuned their instruments Raine spoke to the anxious crowd for the first time. He said that tonight was a very special and that the band rearranged some songs for us acoustically. He then introduced the first song, which to the surprise of everyone was “In Repair”. The song re-claimed its sound as a beautiful and powerful melody captured everyone’s attention immediately. A week before in Atlantic City the band played the same song but tonight it seemed entirely different. Raine’s vocals were outstanding from the first note and would be until the last note of the evening. Mike E. provided keyboard to enhance the effect of the song. As the song came to an end Duncan began the infamous opening bass line to “Naveed”.
I was not sure how “Naveed” would sound live acoustically but it was of course just as amazing. Raine did not sing the usual verse of “Life” that he has been singing in concert as of late. He stuck to the album cut of the song but kept the vocals strong throughout the song. Steve unfortunately did not get the chance to play his opening solo but he added his distinct sound to the song, even acoustically. If Steve proved one thing this evening it was that he was just as good playing acoustically as he was at the other shows. As one of the oldest songs in Our Lady Peace’s catalogue came to a close they went into a song of their recent release, “Gravity”. Raine proclaimed that he did not reveal the meanings of his lyrics usually but tonight he would let us in on a secret. He explained what the second track off of Gravity was about. The song “Do You Like It” was written about the way that the music industry has molded bands into something they never were. It is about bands sacrificing pride for fame. This related tonight because it proved that Our Lady Peace would not fall into this category of “fake” musicians. No other band play free shows for their fans but Our Lady Peace have done that just that twice this summer. Similar to the MTV Pre-VMA show this show was a way to say “thanks” the New York area fans for their continuous support. As the band played strongly through what may be their next single the crowd sang every word. This awakened some of the newer fans that were not familiar with the previous songs. As “Do You Like It?” ended Steve struck the intro notes to the fan favorite “Clumsy”. Raine was not even prepared for the response the crowd was giving to this song. Any true OLP fan knows that this song was made to be played acoustic. The song sounded flawless and Raine's voice hit many notes we have not heard him sing in a while. As Raine approached the bridge of the song he let the crowd take over singing duties while he similed. As everyone waved their hands singing in unison you could see the band was very happy to see the crowd so enthused in their music.
In between songs the crowd called out some requests that would have made the show a true dream and may have left some fans faint on the ground. The band was interacting with the fans and each other more then usual due to the intimate setting. A story about the recording of the next song in only one take led to the ballad, “Bring Back the Sun”. You could see how much this song meant to Raine as he sang each word with incredible emotion. The crowd was following each lyric and the beauty of the song brought some fans to tears. The emotional lyrics Raine writs and performs are what inspire many of the fans to come back show after show. One beautiful song led to another as the band went into the next song. Raine just exclaimed, “this song is thief”, and the crowd was roaring with appreciation. Not a common song “Thief” was not going to be refused by any fan in the audience. I do not think any band could perform a song with more emotion then they did during this one on this evening. The song put everyone in a mood of tranquility and relaxation. As the crowd sang softly not to over power Raine's emotional lyrics they stared at the stage in awe wondering if the show could get any better from this point. The high point of the show was definitely this song and the crowd was 100% into the music after this. Mafia (Right Behind You) was played next with great intensity that at one point Raine threw his cup of water to the floor. Unfortunately due to time constraints the band cut a crowd favorite, “Superman’s Dead”, from the show.
It was now time for the current single, “Innocent”, and everyone was ready to sing about Johnny and Tina. The reaction from the crowd proved that this song may be the big break Our Lady Peace have been waiting for in the States for many years. As the crowd was getting a little rowdy Raine calmed things down with the tear jerking “Are You Sad”. Written about his brother the song talks about trying to help some one and no matter what one does the person wont accept the advice. The stripped lyrics and soothing melodies are what make this song a sure crowd pleaser. After this song Mike E. played an unusual introduction to the second single off of “Happiness..”, “Is Anybody Home”. As Duncan performed the crowd pleasing “woohoos” the crowd tried as hard as they could to sing the correct lyrics to the second chorus. Unfortunately it was a failure but Raine did not seem to mind much. Everyone was surprised that the concert was lasting this long as it was free and everyone was only expecting a couple of songs. The band had two more songs and they were sure not going to disappoint.
First up was what many consider OLP’s most powerful song “4am”. Unlike in concert Raine sang the entire song and he sang it with more emotion then I have seen him use in the six times I have seen the band. The crowd once again could be heard singing every lyric with just as much emotion under Raine's infamous nasal toned voice. After this song Raine announced that they had one last song to play for us. The crowd was upset this experience was about to come to an end. As the purple lights focused on Steve he casually strummed the introduction to the fan favorite “Somewhere Out There”. It was very reminiscent of the video for the song as the crowed swayed singing lyric after lyric. Raine let the crowd sing the “I know your out there, Somewhere Out There” mid-song and it was louder then I have heard at concerts of over 2000 people. As the band finished playing the song every fan hoped for an encore performance of two more songs. Raine thanked everyone and the band left the stage shaking hands with the crowd in the front. As the crowd chanted “one more song” the house lights came up and reality set upon every member of the audience. As the crowd walked out the revolving doors they took memories of an unforgettable evening with them.
After the show the crowd filtered out and the true fans gathered to meet the band. Not many were willing to wait out in the cold to meet the band but we were two of the soldiers. As we were forced out of the venue by security, who were on a power trip, we gathered outside the gates. As we saw the band walk past many times with just a simple wave we were not sure if they were coming out to greet the fans. Jeremy was nice enough to come up to the gate and talk with fans for about 20 minutes until the band began to leave the venue. He was nice enough to sign items and call some fans friends on their cell phones. People were even having the band sign their cell phones! Jeremy was more humorous then ever before picking on many of those waiting outside. As he left Raine came out surrounded by a group of people. He halted as he was bombarded by teenagers armed with sharpies and CD sleeves. He also took the time to take a picture with each and every fan. He chatted amongst the crowd about various topics and said that he was happy about how the show went. Duncan came out next and was greeted with the same welcome as Raine. Eventually they left and we moved to the bus. There was still no sign of Steve or Jeremy. As the crowd of fans progressed to the tour bus they made their appearances and were immediately attacked by the sharpie brigade. The band signed as many autographs as they could until they were forced to leave due to a flight they needed to catch to Toronto. I did not get any autographs this time as I got them a week before but still stuck around to talk to the band. They are a great bunch of guys and appreciate each and every fan that go to their shows or buy their albums. If only every band could be as appreciative as Our Lady Peace the music industry would have not turned into what it is today. As I got home that evening I agreed with Raine, “I never thought it was going to be like that”.

[nikki4982]

*claps* Woah, good review, Rob. God, I forgot how amazing that show was. *sigh*

[areusad831]

i feel bad you read the entire thing?

yea i wrote that when i came home i think apparently i thought the show was quite

i remember walking around central park with gail after the show trying to find the band and shes screaming for them...

[I AM ME]

this gives me some more hope for the band, but the band always seems to have so much emotion and greatness live, but they just can't do it anymore when in bobs pressence. Oh and as for the "do you like it?" explanation, i always knew that's what it was about, but either it's strangely ironic for them to write a song like that not knowing that they themselves were doing the same thing......or..........perhaps raine is speaking about his own band, perhaps he does relize with sadness what they're being forced into.....one can only hope, that perhaps olp will independent and we will see a change, hopfully in producers...

[nikki4982]

Rob, of course I read the whole thing! There's a reason you thought the show was quite ... cos it was.

[Xavier870]

/me wishes he was at the show.