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O.A.R at Madison Square Garden Revisited

Two Words: ALL ACCESS PASSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK that was really three words, but you didn't expect me to be able to describe this night with just two words, did you? Yeesh!

Anyway, This past weekend was one of the most surreal I have had in a while. I'll start off by saying that shabbos was great and there is nothing like hanging out with people who have known you for forever and who don't judge you and who are just laid back and fun. T, A, Y, E, and D- thanks for a fab. shabbos/motzei shabbos. They rocked (but you all know how I feel, you got my e-mail).

Anyhu, onto the main event. We got to MSG around an hour before the show started. We met my father in law outside the garden to pick up the tickets and we took pictures under the O.A.R. at MSG SOLD OUT sign (I would post them, but I am not a big fan of posting pictures of myself on the net, just a weird thing I have). My father-in-law handed us our tickets as well as our O.A.R. at MSG ALL ACCESS PASSES. I don't care who you are, that is just cool (Think Waynes World).

We went into the Garden and found our seats which were neither here nor there fine. They were one section up to the right of the stage, pretty close to the stage. Nothing special, but really fine, and did I mention I had all access passes? So, Greg and I went down behind stage to look for Benj, or whomever to wish them good luck. We honestly didn't expect to find Benj and knew that he was probably too nervous to talk, but we couldn't not go backstage at MSG. So we found the "O.A.R. Family Room" (yes, the sign posted said that, darn why didn't I take a picture of that?) and went in. We chatted with some of the band/crew members' family, had some water and baby carrots (there was a whole spread but we could only have the carrots). I then made friends with two guards who gave me a setlist which proved to be very useful during the show (it is always good to be able to plan your bathroom breaks at a very long concert).

By then, it was getting closer to 8pm and Matisyahu was going to take the stage so we decided to head back to our seats. Matisyahu was fabulous. I only know 1 of his songs really well, but I really like his music. The crowd was very into him. I went down to the press photographer section which is right in front of the front row for a littel bit and Matisyahu is prettty dynamic from so close. That was really neat. Greg got some awesome pictures from that location and I will post that link in a bit.

After Matisyahu, O.A.R. finally took the stage. OK, let me say this. Nothing could have prepared me for this experience. I met my brother-in-law Benj when he was a trouble making 8th Grader (no, he wasn't my brother-in-law yet, I was still in high school). A few years later, he played us a homemade tape that his band recorded and it was pretty raw. Over the years we have gotten to know the music and the band intimately and have been to a bunch of shows. We have watched O.A.R. take step after step to achieve success. We have discussed and re-discussed decisions the band took amongst ourselves, Greg's parents, and Benj. We watched Benj play at the Recher in Towson and thought that was the coolest. We stood in awe as the band sold out the 9:30 club. We watched them on TV on all the late night shows. We were as proud as we could have been. And then they played at Madison Square Garden.

They played in the Arena and sold it out. There were between 18-20,000 people singing the words to all of their music. The lighting was fantastic (and that is an understatement). Each member of the band was completely ON. They were going crazy. Marc, the lead singer, noted that they were all giddy and it showed. This was unequivocally O.A.R.'s best concert ever. I was with some friends who had never been to a rock concert, and some friends who had never seen O.A.R. play. They were all blown away.

Here is a link to the pictures Greg took during the show. It is hard not to notice the energy and to recognize how excited the band and the crowd were.

Anyway, the show was amazing. 19 songs and we didn't want it to end. But, alas, all good things must come to an end. With our ears ringing, we went to J2 for pizza after the concert. We sat at the table next to Matisyahu. Greg introduced himself as the bassist for O.A.R.'s brother, but by that time, Matisyahu had been bombarded by a bunch of fans, so I don't think he noticed or cared. Oh well...

After J2, we headed to a club where O.A.R. was having and after-concert party for their friends and family. I am not into the dark room, (save for random tea lights on tables), VERY LOUD, and crowded alcohol drinking scene. We waited for Benj to come, hung out for a bit, and then went back to the Hotel. Sunday morning, Benj had a brunch at his apt. for family and close friends of his and it was nice (catered kosher from the Village Crown-Thanks B!).

It was great getting home to the kids though. Seeing them after we hadn't been with them for 3 days was really uplifting.

I am not going to forget this weekend for a long time. It was really pretty awesome.

Posted by peninah at January 16, 2006 03:46 PM | TrackBack