Words by Audra Tracy | Photo by David Turcotte
Each year when Phish comes to town, the Big City braces for an influx of party people looking to let loose. Used to epic, marathon-level shows, Phish fans especially are trained for endurance, and their hips will shake til the music stops and/or the curtain drops. So what better place for a weekend concert bender that the city that never sleeps?
www.rebirthbrassband.com
As part of a series of Phish after-parties hosted by CEG Presents, The Gramercy Theatre made way for the Rebirth Brass Band on December 29th.
Taking the stage around 1AM, the New Orleans all-stars helped New Yorkers catch that elusive second wind. The artists played a set featuring songs off the 2011 album that scored them their very first Grammy award, Rebirth of New Orleans. The streets of Manhattan may have been frigid, but the vibe inside the Gramercy was heating up by the minute.
Once Rebirth had the floor in the palm of their hands, the seven piece crew turned it up a notch by doing what any seasoned party host should: play some Michael Jackson. What came next was a wildly catchy instrumental medley that mashed up ‘Shake Your Body’, ‘Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough’, and ‘Billie Jean’. If you weren’t wiggling at this point, it was probably best you got the hell out of the way.
The dance party continued as Rebirth showed the Big Apple how the Big Easy gets down, breaking out French Quarter favorites like ‘Feel Like Funkin’ it Up’ and ‘Do Whatcha Wanna’ toward the end of their late night set. All in all, the room brimmed with so much funk that it blew the Birkenstocks right off those jam-hungry hippies.
Thanks to CEG Presents for another wild run of after-shows!
www.rebirthbrassband.com
TheWaster.com | New York City
01.01.13
