Who: N*E*R*D.
Where: Hordern Pavillion
When: 4/3/09
What: Seeing Sounds Tour
Disappointment: a person or thing that disappoints.
In this case the person was, or as it were, the people who disappointed a largely enthusiastic crowd were Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley. The thing which disappointed most was their exceptionally short 55 minute performance with no encore to save face.
With the release of their third studio album, Seeing Sounds, N.E.R.D were back in town last night playing to a capacity crowd at the Hordern Pavillion. The set consisted of a mix of old and new songs, all of which were performed with great energy and enthusiasm. The on-stage presence of the band, Williams in particular, was indeed worth the wait. As anyone at the concert would agree, Williams’ sex appeal was in overdrive.
Sex appeal and energy, however, aren’t always enough to satisfy a large and eager crowd.
Opening the show with Anti Matter, the somewhat distorted and static sounds managed to get the crowd in the mood for a night of alternative funk-pop-hip-hop. Supported by no less than 6 musicians, N.E.R.D jumped, leaped and star-traked their way through the first half of the set. Though their performance in total was entertaining and hyper in every way, it was perhaps the external factors which let down a much anticipated show.
The sound quality, whether it was on behalf of the venue or the band itself, was incredibly poor. The lyrics were for the most part inaudible, over powered by the guitars and drums; not to mention a constant interference from the speakers. When it was possible to hear Williams or Haley, it was clear to see the talented musicians were in no way overrated. Williams has one of the most complex voices in music today as he effortlessly flows between his buttery smooth rap stylings to his incredible high notes without breaking or shaking in between. Williams is truly talented in his given abilities to sing/rap/produce great music. However, the show last night was carried more by Haley than the lead man himself. It was a great way to showcase the third member who often goes under the radar.
The show did pick up in the second half as Williams selected random guys and girls from the front lines to join him on stage and spaz out. The highlight of the night had to be the boys on stage with the band during Rock Star and Spaz. These skater boys were out there to have a good night and did they ever! Putting on a show as good as any professional, they bounced around stage encouraging the remaining plebs to join in and dance as best they could in their confined spaces on the floor.
There were many songs which would have been performed to perfection had the sound been better. Everyone Nose, Brain and She Wants to Move were stand outs as they brought the entire crowd to its feet and elicited a strong choral response. This is exactly why, when the show ended so abruptly and before time, that many confused and puzzled looks overcame the once joyous and carefree expressions.
Most of the crowd hung around waiting for the encore performance. Some chanted; others waited patiently. It was only when Williams came on stage and hushed the crowd so he could scream out something without a mic (one assumes it was a nicety to assuage any guilt) and was hurriedly ushered off stage, that we all realised the show had come to an end.
Unfortunate as it was that the show had finished just as it was picking up momentum, one couldn’t help but feel hard done by. To go out and see one of the most infamous pop production duos of our generation perform in their own alternate band, and to come away from it saddened is truly a pathetic outcome. Perhaps the expectations were too high. After all, this was a side show, a by-product of the Future Music Festival. Perhaps it was too much to expect that they would be as good as their last show in 2006. Regardless of stature or competence, to see a show where the headline act can’t stay on stage for more than 55 minutes is just disappointing. This hurts more when the band wants to be known for its underground culture, it’s affinity with its fans and non-mainstream approach. The rejection felt last night en-masse was one which can only be felt when one is rejected by a lover in public. The anger and anguish caused was horrific; potentially irreversible.
Image courtesy of N*E*R*D.’s Myspace
