Now in its 36th year, Celebrate Brooklyn 2014 kicked off early June with a headline performance by the ever charismatic Janelle Monae. With several venues throughout Brooklyn including a stage under the Brooklyn Bridge, the Band Shell at Prospect Park offers Brooklynites a local alternative to the Summer Series in Central Park in Manhattan.
The Band Shell offers a ‘choose your own adventure’ viewing style; choose to stand in plenty of room right in front of your favourite artist, or lay down your picnic rug on the small hill behind and watch through the trees & fairy lights with your artisanal beer and gourmet meal tray. Choose-your-own-adventure also includes choose-your-own-fries-style too – the parmesan, parsley and garlic salt was an excellent choice.
The National played at the Park over 3 days in June, supported by Phosphorescent. The sound was first rate for an outdoor show, but an outdoor show always comes with its drawbacks… Quote Matt Berninger “There’s a male fucking moth in my mouth. No seriously, paramedics…? Wait a minute he’s writing something down, he’s walking around in circles.. [coughs + splutters]”. Woops. Delicious.
Dressner’s guitar solo in Fake Empire was a clear highlight, followed by Berninger’s laid back dramatism, jumping into the crowd more than once to serenade the ladies in waiting & throwing beers, and his mic stand off the stage mid chorus in Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks.
Having established the band in Ohio, members of the band are all now local to Propsect Park, and loved being able to play in their home town. “Thank you Brooklyn, it’s been great to play in our home park. You know most of us consummated our marriages in this park…” TMI Berninger? Probably not.
- Leilani Williams
