The queue stretched up three stories. No one complained about missing lunch.
The show opened with Bob Isherwood apologizing for the delay, but I would have waited for as long as it took. Even the theatrical introduction to the directors’ reel was a grand display of stage technique and how a live performance and video feed can work together to deliver an extraordinary experience, one in which emotion sharpens the intellectual appreciation of technique. It began simply, with the spotlight on a man (the “director” persona) walking on an elevated treadmill, and escalated to fake blood, flying styrofoam beans and gigantic cardboard walls.
I am a huge fan of the Arcade Fire and REM, and absolutely loved the last director on the reel, Vincent Moon. CNN has an article on his Take Away Shows. Watch Arcade Fire doing Neon Bible in an elevator. Michael Stipe laughing at the end of Living Well’s the Best Revenge. All the Take Away Shows are here. Scroll down for Andrew Bird, Xiu Xiu, Elysian Fields, and more.
The full reel isn’t up yet on heresanidea.com, but it should be soon. Watch. Take away an idea or two.