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Tuesday, July 31, 2007

T:BA Lifesavas at the Works, Revisited in the Harsh Light of Day

Posted by Alison Hallett on Tue, Jul 31 at 4:21 PM

Last night kicked off the Works with a set from local hiphop stalwarts the Lifesavas. I’d never seen them before, and after last night I’m still kind of ambivalent. I like ‘em in theory—they’re undeniably competent, their stage banter was engaging as hell, and I can appreciate the fact that Jumbo is a hottie even while wearing a totally ridiculous oversized granny necklace, but I wasn’t feeling that kinetic audience/performer mind meld that characterizes really good hiphop shows. The crowd seemed into it, though, so maybe I was just in the wrong headspace.

As for the Works itself: The Wonder was maybe 3/4 full, lots of happy dancing drunks, lots of schmoozing, lots of familiar art world faces. The beer garden plan didn’t really seem to catch on—I left before the Lifesavas wrapped up, but at least while I was there, there was never more than a handful of folks braving the chill to hang out in the parking lot. And while the space certainly got a facelift, it still feels a lot like the Wonder Ballroom, so folks expecting the dislocation of years past might be disappointed. My major gripe: During the show, stills from the TBA catalogue were projected on two screens to either side of the stage. Distracting, tacky, unnecessary.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the fun to be had at the Works.

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Comments

i completely agree on the disconnect going on during this show. what was happening?

how can i enjoy a show so much but still have to split before its over?
it felt like the lifesavas were dropping incredible cuts that they had performed maybe one too many times before. the edge and rawness of a great hip hop show was absent. felt like i was watching a music video maybe?
/
as into it as the crowd was...it was still the PICA/TBA art crowd at a hip hop show. i could see noses turn at the smell of the joint that got lit up toward the front. i could see people anxious to go back to their car to grab their fucking djembe and join in the 'funky vibe'. didn't feel like a party. felt square. :(

Posted by matthewmatthew | September 11, 2007 2:01 AM

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