Commentary

I stayed in New York for the summer to “work.” In all seriousness though, New York jobs pay better than Florida jobs. That’s the bottom line. At least that’s what I told my parents. What I didn’t bother telling them was all the things I would be doing after work. Not that they would mind considering the one thing I wanted to do and have done this past summer is attend free concerts.

Free concerts.

Two words that become magical when paired together for the serious show buff (i.e. me).

So, yes. Free concerts at Central Park. Free concerts at Prospect Park. Free concerts by the Southstreet Seaport. Free concerts at McCarren Park Pool.

Out of all of these, McCarren interested me the most; it consists of a park and a massive empty pool built in the 1930s. Unfortunately, my travels and other activities have prevented me from attending any of the free shows in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (where McCarren resides). Last Sunday was the closest I have actually come to going. MGMT, The Ting Tings, and Black Moth Super Rainbow (all bands that I like, particularly BMSR) were playing. The plan was as follows: wake up around noon, shower, breakfast/lunch, and then maybe head out by 2. Well two rolled around and the two people I had made plans with bailed. One wasn’t sure if he really wanted to see MGMT that day (he likes the band but the weather was absolutely dreadful – rainy, sticky – and he didn’t know whether it was worth it) and the other had to pack for Lollapalooza. So I stayed home (or rather at my friend’s apartment) and watched Extras instead. According to the blogs, I made the right decision. Apparently, the entire place was beyond capacity and people were waiting in line for hours while others hopped the fence and cut the line. I was completely unaware of MGMT’s explosion up until when I read all of the bloggers’ complaints about the amount of people per square foot, all of which were hipsters apparently, which made it all the worse. The verdict seems to be that McCarren has become too popular for its own good, well, either that or MGMT.

It’s too bad really because I am now a little apprehensive about going to see Aesop Rock two weekends from now. But I will sit through the line (if there happens to be one) because I would like to attend at least one NYC Jelly Pool Party before they shut down the place (this is the last year of free shows at McCarren).

So if you are planning on visiting the city anytime this summer definitely check it out ’cause it won’t be there next year!

http://www.mccarrenpark.com/

1 Comment »