The National @ Terminal 5

Got a chance to check out The National yesterday. Thanks Dave! They played the inaugural show at Terminal 5, a new venue in midtown.

Terminal 5 is part of the burgeoning Bowery Ballroom empire. Brand spanking new, it still looked a bit unfinished and industrial. In fact, my first thought was of a prison. Jailhouse rock? This room will probably take some business from Roseland and Hammerstein Ballroom as it competes in terms of size and location. And its a little nicer.

The National are not nearly as new as Terminal 5, but easily just as big. This sold out show was packed to the rafters. Unfortunately, the band failed to take advantage of that energy early. Instead, they played a lot of slower numbers which were a bit tough to engage the bigger room.

They came on strong in the second half of their set though. I'd definitely like to see them again. But preferably in a more intimate setting.

Thanks to Brooklyn Vegan for the pic!

Bocce, Tall Boys, & Candles

To celebrate me putting another candle on the cake, my girl threw a little fiesta for me this Saturday. We started off at Union Hall in Park Slope (home of the famous indoor bocce courts) and finished up in style at Southpaw.

And since it was the first Saturday of the month, you know what goes down at Southpaw..."The Rub" baby. Ayres and Cosmo held it down on the ones and twos as our friends and I threw down lots o Bud tall boys (just like the hipsters!). So we partied til the break of dawn. Thanks everyone for coming out. You know who you are.

Oh, an we ran into more friends who couldn't get into Southpaw after arriving late from the Arcade Fire show. What are the odds? Good seeing you guys too.

Can't wait to do it again next month. (The party, not the getting older part.)