The Buzz Under the Stars event featuring Weezer, Coheed and Cambria, and Manchester Orchestra morphed into Buzz Under the Storm Clouds featuring Heat Stroke show on Friday night. The smell of puke and sweat filled City Market as hotter-than-hell temperatures took their toll on enthusiastic Weezer fans. I saw six people barf their brains out, and one postmenopausal woman lay on the ground as KCFD personnel took her blood pressure and she stuffed her face with some sort of meat sandwich.
I have an equation to demonstrate.
Overabundance of neck and facial tattoos accompanying missing teeth (a
stereotypical correlation of methamphetamine usage) plus 95-degree temperatures and 1 million percent humidity equals a pukefest populated by dehydrated dumb fucks.
Young and old alike, the offenders were everywhere, leading each other out of the center crowd of sweat-drenched Weezer-goers like zombies in search of bottled water instead of flesh and blood. People with glazed eyes and bellies full of beer littered the sides of the stage. The show continued, despite the approaching storm that never produced any cooling relief but did provide beautiful lighting giving the stage lights a run for their money.
From where I was standing, it looked as if a Ghostbusters-era Rick Moranis was doing his best Sally O'Malley (Molly Shannon's SNL character, "I'm 50!") impression. Rivers Cuomo sure didn't act like a guy who's fortieth birthday is next week and who -- less than six months ago -- suffered cracked ribs and internal bleeding as a result of a tour bus accident. Cuomo's teenage speed-freak energy level was no reflection of the extreme temperature or the onset of middle age. He even rocked his Member's Only jacket for the majority of the set. This guy's calorie-burning kicks, jumps, and cross-stage sprints were enough to inspire lighting bugs to dance and sway with the music. Most people sang along to the new stuff and everyone sang along to the oldies. Tribal armband tattoos were raised in unison as thousands of people chanted, If you want to destroy my sweater.
There was a reoccurring theme of fans that I observed Friday night. The groups of people -- usually two to four gathered around each other -- consisted of one really obnoxious person singing at the top of his/her lungs pointing and jumping up and down while the others looked down at the ground or tried really hard to look past their super-Weezer fan. Obviously, the friends there for support mouthed the words casually, but that one super-fan in every group just had to take it that much further. The energy from the stage was almost overwhelming; but, really? Do you need to point your sweaty index finger millimeters from your friends' faces and yell, Beverly Hills! That's where I want to be? Is it necessary? I urge you to reconsider. I feel like some of that passion has been misdirected and could, perhaps, be used in a different vehicle of music. I'm just saying.
The highlight of the show was an absurd encore that included a mash-up of MGMT's hit "Kids" and Lady Gaga's "Poker Face." I can respect a band who can pull that off in a nerd-core, I'm 40 kind of way. Sort of.
It's not their fault, but Manchester Orchestra got swallowed by the heat: like a piece of stale bread being dipped in scalding soup, the tempo of nearly every song seemed to get soggier and soggier with each riff. However, I enjoyed their set the most out of all the bands of the night, including Weezer: despite the sweat, they sounded relaxed, mellow, and polished.
Coheed and Cambria had the crowd wrapped around their proverbial finger. Although it may have been my location (Northern side-stage), the sound was just awful, as I watched almost everyone dance and yell lyrics to each other. (I couldn't justify getting any closer to that mob of 7,000 people pushing, puking, and sweating all over each other, so I hung back.) The sound quality suffered greatly, as I discovered when I went for a stroll around the perimeter of people. Nonetheless, I couldn't find a spot in City Market where C&C didn't sound like alley cats in heat singing into empty tin cans. I tried real hard to "feel it," but "the feeling" never came. I wasn't the only one, either. I overheard several groups of people remark that C&C didn't sound very good. Maybe the people that would disagree with this were the same people screeching the lyrics and -- effectively -- not hearing the band. Suck it! They were a disappointment.
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I am NOT a friend. I have no idea who this girl is and I don't even like lattes. but thanks for making an assumption and placing me in a category just like you are accusing nicole of doing.
You are an idiot. Please don't ruin the music scene by exaggerating an entire evening. Thank you for your AWFUL contribution to a well respected local zine. We will now like to ask you to leave :)
yeah, nicole (the author of this so-well-written article) just admitted that she lied throughout this whole piece. listen to her here: http://kcradiogod.com/buzz/laz...
she didn't mean anything she wrote, and only writes to be "ironic" and writes what she thinks the typical pitch audience wants to read (what's expected of her). so she lies and makes stuff up - that's excellent journalism. just remember that anytime you read any of her articles.
I don't think it is fair to call people crybabies for taking offence at being called toothless and, in an indirect way, meth heads. The writer is certainly welcome to write about having a bad time at a concert but should expect a reaction if she insults thousands of people. Many of those people are loyal readers of the Pitch. Perhaps she wanted to gain some sort of notoriety so more people would read her articles. It has apparently worked so good for her I guess. I personally found the article more interesting and more readable* when she was critiquing the bands as opposed to being offended by every imaginable behavior that is found at large concerts. Don�t sing along? Don�t jump or dance? Don�t be excited to see your favorite band? There are jerks and drunks at most concerts, but expecting people to just stand around and occasionally mouth the words to lyrics is something you expect at mass on Sunday�not at a rock concert.
*Even though her metaphors and similes were awkward and sometimes just bizarre. Particularly the one about being dipped in soup.
Bunch of crybabies. They think they're cool for liking Weezer but they're really just younger versions of their parents who are stuck on Foreigner. Get over yourelves, so a writer didn't like the show you liked, who cares?
Oh, no, the lady on the internet hurt the feelings of my radio friend. I must type about it all day forever, the end, amen. Now play something off bloodsugarsexmagic! 1995 forvever, Buzz!
The lady doth protest too much, methinks or she wasn't there at all?
Please don't waste our time with crap like this again. It was summer. It was hot. The sun rose and set that day like always and I breathed pot infused second hand smoke\air. Nothing newsworthy there.
Oh... The concert kicked butt. Cheap tickets. Cold beer, good music and fun people watching. What else do you want girl?
The self deprecating shtick on air made you sound even worse than if you had actually tried to defend yourself, I feel really bad for you..
Really? Were you even at the same concert? No tattoos here, and all my teeth. I also don't do drugs, and wouldn't drink the only beer they had on offer there. Yes, there were people with tattoos there. If you haven't noticed that is rather common. It was a good concert, and the sound was great when you were anywhere in front of the stage. Off to the sides, and you won't have as good sound. Like any concert. Open your eyes and think. Weezer is all about intelligent hipsters, not methed out rockers. Your obvious bias clouds your reasoning.
Nichole took the easy way out. Snark is often an acceptable substitute for journalism at the pitch. pretty standard MO for all the new times weeklies actually. the pitch's golden era was the same as weezer's - 1996. maybe both of them should take the hint.
I enjoyed reading the Comments way more than I did the review. My greatest disappointment is with the editor at The Pitch that actually allowed Nicole's drivel to go to print. Did you really need to fill space that badly? It wasn't a review. It wasn't really anything except disgusting. Yuck. Nicole, you need a therapist. What a self-centered, condescending, angry person. And speaking of angry, how do you think all those people who attended the show felt after you characterized them all as losers in the most unflattering way??? If you were trying to get more "friends" on your Facebook page, I don't think it worked.
congratulations!
the majority of people that read your dumbass article are Lazlo's nine listeners that wanted to laugh at you. maybe this will become a new angle for you and your fellow...writers?
As Duh Man describes in an earlier post, your thoughts are not consistent. It is one thing to have a constructive critical view of the performance and artist, but it is quite another to defile an entire group of people.
If your job objective was to heighten emotions, gain a few hits on the "The Pitch" site, and then have people protest the publication you freelance at... job well done. I have to admit that it's been awhile since I picked up "The Pitch". One of the only reasons I googled your article was because I heard your interview on the Church of Lazlo.
Perhaps your flippant responses in the interview was a defense mechanism to show the listening audience that you didn't care about the reaction. But all of us have an inkling of social acceptance whether it be with friends or colleagues or the readers of "The Pitch". You wouldn't have posted anything, if you didn't want your voice to be heard.
As I read the comments of your review, I had to laugh at the irony. It's not fun to be attacked about your personal appearance, lack of social graces, and juvenility, is it?
Aside from your opinions about the music and the crowd - why would you write this article? Most of the people reading this review were either at this show or interested in the bands and therefore likely part of the crowd you describe. Isn't it journalism 101 that you don't write articles that offend your base? Are you trying to turn people away from the Pitch? I just don't get it.
I'm sorry you wrote such a scathing article. Plus I listened to your interview on the Buzz with Lazlo. You miss, are not cool. If that's what you're going for , good job...
The funny thing is I bet the majority of the people that have read this article have done so only because Lazlo called you out on your ignorance. This is so poorly written that I would be surprised if anyone actually read this to get an idea of what the concert was like on Friday night.
I like to make coffee and write snarky articles but only as an alter ego. I mean I am really like that but I'm not. I don't really know my own opinion because I saw Weezer in 2001 and they were great but I am too cool for that. I stand by my original opinion even though I don't even know if thats what I really believe. Did I mention that I am a 30 something barista that is too cool for Weezer?
I was at the show, and did not see any of the nonsense that Nicole is writing about. She is an idiot. She probably wrote this after drinking too much boxed wine by herself. she is a loser
Was your rough draft of this article written in crayon, Nicole?
What an ignorant asshat this hysterical joke of an author is.
So were you high when you wrote this? Thinking that no one was gonna comment on it, and yes your facebook photo is not that glamorous either.
So do you have a stick up your a**? How on earth do you generalize a crowd of 7 thousand plus, into a large group of Meth heads with missing teeth, and excessive tattoos? I attended the Weezer concert, and I did not see one person with missing teeth? Which just so you know, me and my friend that attended are not Meth heads, but college educated and have day jobs, with no tattoos or missing teeth? I am truly offended that I was considered to be one of these Meth head concert goers. And for the comment on the crowd singing along to the songs, and pointing WOW it is amazing that means people were letting go having a beer and a good time, which obviously you don't know how to do, with the stick up your a@@ why don't you go to a different kind of concert(like the symphony) if you can not handle a real one like this. Also I'm not sure who's paying you to write this garbage but if I were them I'd be reaching for a pink slip.
Weezer was a blast!
Great interview on the buzz btw Nicole... douche bag. I personally had an amazing time at the Weezer concert, and myself, my friends, and the majority of people I saw there are far from being meth heads...but knew how to have a good time unlike yourself aparently. Way to judge people, its sad that you might actually be getting paid for this bull shit.
well done Brit! Coming to the rescue of your friend! I'm sure she will spot you a Latte next time you swing into the shop!
this review is unique and insightful. let's face it, weezer sucks and has way overstayed their welcome. I saw them a couple years back and I can safely say that it was the most boring show I have ever been to. Even if you disagree with the review, it is still well written, containing personality.
As a fellow journalist, well I personally consider it a stretch to equate your journalistic skills to my own, or any self-respecting writer for that matter, I'm truly disgusted by your article. There's not much I can say that has not already been said by those who have commented before myself. However, I want you to know that it was I who, this afternoon on the Church of Lazlo, dubbed you the "Freelance Barista". A moniker I hope sticks and denies you the opportunity to write for either the Pitch, or any other periodical. To the editors of the Pitch, how could you have printed that trash?
I think that this article is stupid. Yes,I understand the whole fact that this is an opinion, but honestly, how can you sit and generalize thousands of people into one group? How can you sit there and generalize that they're all 'meth users.' It makes no sense that you didn't even review the music, just the fans. And honestly, if they pay for their ticket, who gives a hell who goes? God forbid concert goers have fun by dancing, singing, and tossing back a beer or two? Everyone I know that went had an amazing time, and I guess in the end that's all that really matters. I'm sorry that you had a bad time, next time, save your money and go to the library.
WORST CONCERT REVIEWER EVER- YOU ONLY REVIEWED THE PEOPLE - DID YOU EVEN LISTEN?
Dear Debbie Downer (or Nicole)
Maybe you are thinking of rockfest? That is the "Tweeker" contingent of missing teeth and tattoos and unnecessary distruction -
Singing along at a Concert -Dancing - Fun? Repent you Savages!- Maybe you should lighten up Nicole, you come off like a shallow, stuck-up conformist.YOU ARE SO BOARING AT CONCERTS -Have a beer - dance a little -you may be a happier person in the end. Weezer is a band of nerdy intellectuals - not drug addicts as are most of thier fans. - Unfortunatly because you have no concept of thier music or fan base, it was easier to make yourself feel good by making fun of those around you. I can only assume by sterotyping you that you are one of those "Mean Girls" that never got over the apex of your high school career - or the hairstyle that went with it.
You weren't looking so good yourself out there. -
P.S i have all my teeth and no tattoos. -S
Wow!! Maybe if KC is not to your standard you should relocate back to Indianola, Iowa. If you find something you want to complain about make sure you can follow through and back it up.
Wow. I wasn't at the concert, but many people said they had a blast there. I have never really considered the Pitch a credible source for anything other than the times and locations of concerts, but I never could have imagined it was this bad. Obviously, the Pitch has no standard for journalism (I should note that I hesitate to use the word journalism because whatever you might call this garbage article, I don't think journalism is anywhere near the accurate term). I'm sure that Nicole incorrectly fancies herself a super trendy hipster, but shame on the Pitch for giving her a forum to publish this ridiculous waste of time and ink.
Wow. This article is a total turn-off to The Pitch. Trying to be cool is one thing, but when you come off as a pretentious a-hole, no one thinks that's cool. So what if there were some people at a concert having a great time? This 'journalist' is clearly beyond a music snob. Hey Nicole - your writing sucks it.
Pitch reviews are usually better than this. The writer says C&C had bad sound but never actually attempts to describe what was wrong. She just tells us other people agreed but only after telling us C&C had the crowd wrapped around their finger. Which is it? And the writer says the sound might just have been bad where she was standing, so why not rove around the venue and see?
I also don't get how MO sounded relaxed and polished but also like bread in soup. Again and again in the review the writer makes an claim and then doesn't back it up and sometimes even contradicts it.
Finally the meth joke was mean and shitty. I don't agree with these commentators complaining about the Pitch in general but they are exactly right about this sophomoric review.
What a horrible review.... Yes it was hot and some people got sick I'm sure... I saw no toothless people though and from your facebook I just found Nichole you have no room to judge anyone. Go cut yourself some more.
Wait....it was hot?! And people were sweaty?!! At an OUTDOOR venue in the SUMMER?! GASP! Journalism at its finest.
Nicole, when you realize your favorite band isnt a band but a scene you can talk music with the adults.
Remind me to not live in a world where you have to act so hard to be cool you can no longer dance or sing.
What a miserable life the 18 year old zit faced music reviewers "employed" for under 20k a year at the pitch must have. Trying to act cool can be draining.
Wow, it sounds like The Pitch sent someone to their first concert ever. Who knew that hot weather, drunkeness and a few a-holes would possibly be at a pretty packed show? This mag sucks more and more.
There were probably some trashy people, there were some douche bags fingering their girlfriends while they "danced" to Weezer and there were certainly super fans screaming the lyrics to every song of their preferred band, but what concert DOESN'T have some or all of the above? It is a shame that you had to TRY to make up for your lack of a story by describing characteristics of the audience.
I suppose this is just an opinion blog anyways. I shouldn't be surprised that there are little to no elements of journalism.
At least you know how to use punctuation and grammar!
I really don't understand this article, it's really strange. Was this reviewed by someone who has never been to a rock concert before? I mean, really, people drinking too much, yelling, single along to their songs loudly?? Whoa!!! That's unbelievable! Um, this kind of thing goes on at pretty much every concert except those similar to the taste of the Kansas City Symphony.
I will say though, my wife and I attended and did not see any of the things you described. Also take note, this is why most people don't read "The Pitch". The writing is lack luster to say the least and your reviews are irrelevant. My advice, stick to events on, say, the more lighter side of music. I don't think Rock/Alt rock is really for you. Thanks!
The better show, which wasn't reviewed, was happening 2 miles away at the Crossroads at Grinders. The Black Keys and Brian Olive put on a helluva show. The night cooled off, but was still right for sweaty blues rock.
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