polyphonic experience

Last night, after 3 years of painfully waiting, I finally got to see The Polyphonic Spree live in concert. The show was at The Manhattan Center (the smaller part of the Hammerstein Ballroom.. where ECW films their tapings, it's very small, very intimate). The show was part of David Bowie's new High Line Festival, and at one point I was actually standing within 3 feet of Mr. Bowie himself. The festival highlighted some of Bowie's favorite current acts, including the Arcade Fire, Deerhoof, and The Secret Machines, all on different nights at different venues throughout New York City.

I got to The Manhattan Center in time to catch the last 2 or 3 songs of the band opening for The Polyphonic Spree, a band called School of Seven Bells. They are a group from NYC that is somewhat similar to the Spree, not quite as powerful but just as psychedelic. I liked what I heard from them, and I'll probably check them out again sometime.

After a brief intermission and a few 6 dollar beers, The Polyphonic Spree were ready to go on. A video showed all of the members walking around New York City, which was kind of cool. Then the curtains closed, and when the opened again, there was a huge red banner hiding the band. After a minute of suspense, frontman Tim DeLaughter started to cut through the banner, and suddenly all 15 or 16 members of the band appeared, dressed in some cool really cool military uniforms (Their new album, called "The Fragile Army, comes out June 19th). From the first strike of the gigantic harp in the corner of the stage, the crowd of maybe 400 people was going insane. It was honestly like nothing I have ever seen before. It reminded me of being part of a Southern Baptist Church, with everyone dancing like maniacs and chanting along with every word DeLaughter sung. The crowd viewed DeLaughter as some sort of prophet, and he knew it, commanding the crowd in sing-a-longs. Confetti and streamers shot from the ceiling at different points of the 80 minute set, adding to the mayhem.

If anybody knows me, they know that I literally feed off of positive energy. It's like a special power that I have. Whenever I feel positive vibes going through the air, I'm just a totally different person. Last night was probably one of the most amazing experiences I have ever been part of. Although I went to the show by myself, The Spree has an ability to bring every person in the room together. I found myself in the middle of dance circle after dance circle, dancing with strange hippie chicks, and singing along with a couple who looked like they could have been my grandparents.

After the last song, which I can't remember what it was, the crowd kept on singing. No music, no band members on stage, but the crowd kept on singing, in unison ("and in time, our voice will be heard"), which actually gave me goosebumps. After maybe 8 minutes of this, DeLaughter and the rest of the group appeared walking through the crowd, this time wearing the robes that they are known for. After an amazing flute solo and a few songs, the opening chords to "Light and Day" were heard. As expected, the crowd just went ballistic, and as more and more confetti showered us, DeLaughter invited whoever wanted to to go onto the stage for an amazing sing-a-long. It was a beautiful sight, and after the song was over, every band member stayed on the stage to hang out, give out hugs, and talk to anybody who wanted to talk to them.

Seeing The Polyphonic Spree was more than just going to a concert. It was an experience. It was well worth the 3 years of waiting, but god help me if I have to wait another 3 to see them again. In a time when the world is filled with alot of negativity, experiencing something like The Polyphonic Spree gives us something, and there was a 100 foot banner in the back of the stage telling us what it is: HOPE.