Ugh! Beyonce To Sing For Obama’s First Dance
It is 12:34 a.m. This blog will be posted later. But right now, I am trying to get my head around the dullest news possible breaking out of the inaugural festivities. WTOP is reporting that at the Neighborhood Ball, Beyonce will be singing the first song that Barack and Michelle Obama will dance to. Beyonce will be joined by performers ranging from will.i.am to Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, and Alicia Keys. I can’t think of a more safe pick to sing during that most televised moment. I don’t expect M.I.A. or Cat Power. It’s just a little too safe.
Alicia Keys would have been the better choice. I just have this feeling–correct me if I’m wrong here–but the next four, five days are going to be a huge bland sandwich only with massive crowds, security zones, and huge traffic congestion. Safe acts (Sting, Sheryl Crow) meeting up with the usual Hollywood cameos (Kate Walsh?). It’s telethon-level talent. But what are they singing for? Obama? The fact that we’re done with Bush?
I can’t help but be disappointed. Again. Where’s Wilco? For my money the best show in town is going to be the Big Shoulders Ball at the Black Cat featuring folks like Ted Leo, Ken Vandermark, Tortoise, etc. I’m going to that show. I promise to post pictures and maybe a little video.
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9:19 am
I’m going to stand outside that Black Cat show with a sign that says “FUCK CHICAGO,” even though I like a lot of those bands.
You gotta own your turf.
9:21 am
In fact, maybe the Bag should put out a “THIS IS D.C. NOT CHICAGO” comp.
I’m an old fart like that.
10:10 am
I’ll take Beyonce over Alicia Keys, and both of ‘em over some of the bland indie-rock in town. I cared about Wilco several membership changes ago. Now they are less pop and too jambandy. Go see David Rudder, the Bob Marley of soca, or go-go acts or rap acts or jazz if you want something different.
2:24 pm
The cesspool makes a good point: where’s the local? Wale is playing I think the brighest young things ball. Chuck Brown will be at the Wilson Building.
But what else?
Curm: Beyonce is booooring.
2:53 pm
Yea the locals (except for Chuck Brown) aren’t on official balls but some are out and about. Chuck Brown is playing somewhere every night I think –Wilson Building one night, Lincoln Theatre another night, maybe at Liv also. Big Tony & the latest version of Troublefunk are doing something with Lil Benny and Sugar Bear. Comet Ping Pong and Modern are hosting locals, and various reggae and salsa and jazz bands are playing. Old-school soul man Skip Mahoney’s gonna be a the Chateau Saturday and blues guy Memphis Gold is gonna be at a crystal city hotel gig Monday with the Delfonics. But I guess the Points and old-school Dischord acts and Edie Sedgwick and noise/improv acts are all not playing anywhere.
3:38 pm
IT still be awesome to see Edie Sedgwick serenade the First Couple. Or if you want a Chicago theme, Shellac really should have gotten the call to play the first dance.
4:48 pm
I’m talking about regional scenester strife. Sharks & Jets shit: YOU PLAY THAT CHICAGO INDIE ROCK AROUND HERE AND I’LL CUT’CHU. OK TED, YOU CAN STAY EVEN THOUGH YOU’RE FROM JERSEY.
4:56 pm
all the singles ladies, all the single ladies
5:02 pm
UH UH OH, UH UH OH
(black & white clips of Ian Svenonius, J. Robbins and Chris Thompson in leotards doing the hip-hop Fosse dance aggressively in the direction of Chicago rockers)
ALL THE SINGLE LADIES ALL THE SINGLE LADIES
5:58 pm
Steve Albini would have to play the heavy.
6:51 pm
… with a Rid Of Me-era PJ Harvey as his moll.
the plot would be that the DC dudes are trying to liberate every DC act from the evil clutches of the Touch & Go roster.
Moyer would be in the morally ambiguous Han Solo position, playing both sides, but ultimately siding with DC.
6:55 pm
Fuck it, this is starting to get like Yacht Rock, and that’s not where I wanted to go.
11:05 pm
Well the PJ Harvey idea was a nice touch.
12:06 am
DON’T PATRONIZE ME.