NYJMH Festival Last Day
JEWZAPALOOZA: The Last Three Hours
The final day of the Jewish Music and Heritage Festival was different than the others in that it was held during the daytime and admission was free, which might help explain a much stronger Orthodox presence than at other events.
The “surprise” band scheduled for the 6pm slot was Oi Va Voi, winner of this year’s NJMHF’s first Best Danceable award. Sophie Solomon’s violin playing adds an even greater and dominant dimension to this tight and talented London band live than on the album “Laughter Through Tears.”
At 7pm, Soulfarm took the stage. It is the last day of the festival. It is almost Rosh Hashana. I don’t want to say anything mean. So let’s just say Soulfarm is at least a good wedding band if you are a baales tshuva getting married for your second time, this time to a Jew, so really it’s like your first time from a certain perspective, and you did a lot of weed in your day and sometimes you still do, but usually just motzei Shabbat, and all your friends are really happy that you found your beshert and remark on the mutually complementary gematria of both your names, and the wedding’s in Tsfat.
However, in the off chance that all of these conditions are not met in their entirety, this may not be the band for you. The songs and solos are a bit stretched, boring, and simple. The happy hippy shtick is overdone, even flip. I began to want to hear a band that was serious and intense. I grew hungry, wanting something with meat on it. Instead, I was being served tofu kishke. And yes, I can tell the difference.
But I didn’t have to wait long. It just felt long. Like waiting for the 7th hakafa at the Karlbache shul so I can finally go to bed long.
And then Blackfield took the stage.
Michael Dorf, the festival’s producer, denied there was anything symbolic in Blackfield being chosen as the band to close the festival, but rather “just a way to finish a great day of music.”
Intended or not, Blackfield was a good choice as the festival’s closer. A very good choice.
Aviv Geffen came to the stage and declared, “My name is Aviv Geffen. I am from Israel, and I am a Jew!”
Geffen and his partner in Blackfield, Steven Wilson, from England, played many of the songs from their eponymous album, “Blackfield.” Lush and driving, Blackfield shows Goth influence. Many of the songs turn harder after a verse or two. Geffen is known for dressing flamboyantly, though he did not do so today. On the exquisite song “Pain,” Geffen asks, “Will we ever meet again? As friends? After so long.”
The crowd had changed. It was night. Tobacco smoke filled the air, a sure sign of a decadent element.
In addition to songs from their first album, they played “Epidemic,” to be included on their next one. They closed with “Cloudy Now.”
“We are a fucked generation. It’s getting cloudy now.”
It should be mentioned that Steven Wilson’s fulltime job is being the frontman for Porcupine Tree, a prog-rock band with a huge worldwide cult following.
mmm, aviv gefen. i had such a HUGE crush on him when i was 13.
No was that orthojab really necessary? I could think of at least a dozen other factors that contributed to the Orthodox presence, none of which have to do with it being free.
TC,
Do you really want to assert that the Orthodox value secular culture as much as secular Jews do? They have more kids, higher bills, and sometimes a suspicion of secular culture. All of these issues makes many of them more resistant to a nighttime secular concert with a high price tag, and more receptive when no babysitter is needed and it’s free.
If it was indeed the 40 year old daddies of 5 whom were in attendance then I apologize for implying your biased assertion of cheap jews as mistaken.
BTW
What exactly does “high bills” and more kids have to do with embracing “secular culture” ?
nothing – they are two separate issues. But the Orthodox do not generally place the same value on secular culture as secular Jews, and that can affect their willingness to pay for it even by those who can afford it.
You are being vaguely general and I highly doubt that was the deciding factor for the particular group of people that came to the event on Sunday.
I’m also a little bewildered by your point about secular culture – i thought this was a jewish entertainment event?
On your second point (I think we are agreeing to disagree on the first?) Well, just because it’s Jewish doesn’t mean it isn’t noticed if it’s a secular orientation. There were female singers at times throughout the festival, as well as lyrics that some would certainly disapprove of.
I think if it would have been truly “kosher” Jewish entertainment, there would have been more Orthodox still, as well as less secular Jews.
We all can tell the difference in terms of where the Jewish artist is coming from.
Clearly now that is a manifestation of standards and customs which define social mores and not a generalized bias based on silly logic.
What do you mean?
Orthodox, Secular, what have you…..
I still got ripped off by Mendy’s.
wow, that review was so… partial. what about the rest of the acts? i know they’re not tormented or anything (and therefore can not be legitimate art/music) but if you’re reviewing jewsapalooza, you could mention the other performers as well.
and where can i find a more inclusive and detailed review, as i really am curious to hear about ALL the performances (esp. blue fringe’s)…
FUCKING JEWISH, ARE SO STUPID, I HATE YOU, I HÒPE YOU DIE ALL SOME DAY, FUCKING THIEVES, YOU’RE THE WORST RAZE. NEVER EVER WALK IN THIS WORLD, FUCKING SHARON, FUCKING BUSH, HEIL HITLER, MOTHER FUCKERS
ZYKLON B, YOU REMERBER THAT JERKS, JAJAJ, I SUPPORT THAT, VERY GOOD METHOD TO EXTERMINETE, JAJAJA, I KILL THEM!!! SOME DAY TOO, GO THE HELL, ASCHLOCH
hate is the worst poison. how come i cant me myself without people hating me? acident of birth? your remarks make me prouder to be jewish, thank you. yon the other hand, it is upsetting. what did the jews ever do?