Blog by Sumana Harihareswara, Changeset founder
Good Show, Old Chap
Hi, reader. I wrote this in 2005 and it's now more than five years old. So it may be very out of date; the world, and I, have changed a lot since I wrote it! I'm keeping this up for historical archive purposes, but the me of today may 100% disagree with what I said then. I rarely edit posts after publishing them, but if I do, I usually leave a note in italics to mark the edit and the reason. If this post is particularly offensive or breaches someone's privacy, please contact me.
The They Might Be Giants show was the most fun show I've attended in recent memory. TMBG put on a clinic in effective use of crowd, lights, patter, and sheer rockin'. My slightly heeled boots helped me see over the crowd -- thanks, forecasts of rain!
Wow, John Linnell and John Flansburgh are cute. Do I think this because all rockers look hot on stage? Because I know they must be geeks because they are TMBG? Because they physically fit the stereotypes? Because I associate my attraction to geeks with all the paraphernalia of geekdom, like Linux and Neal Stephenson and TMBG?
Even "Ana Ng," performed in front of a mass of cheering fans who sing along, becomes an uplifting song. And I understand "New York City" much better now.
The opener was fantastic. Corn Mo plays accordion and piano and sings. The old-timey piano reminds me of TMBG or Ben Folds, and the accordion and the lyrics remind me of TMBG or Weird Al. Terrific patter.
Tomorrow TMBG plays a completely different set. I have a strong urge to go.
