Last night we checked another item off our Switzerland bucket list – Montreux Jazz Festival.
A world famous music festival, in its 48th year, Montreux Jazz festival started as a three-day festival to highlight jazz artists. Now lasting two weeks, the festival includes far more genres of music than just jazz. In fact, this year’s line-up includes Pharrell Williams, Outkast, Robert Plant, Robin Thicke, Van Morrison, and Stevie Wonder. When we moved here last year we just missed the festival and it was something everything told us we had to experience this year.
The day tickets went on sale, we were surprised and excited to see Outkast on the program. Originally formed in East Point, Georgia in 1992, both Bo and I have been fans since their early days. In fact, the night Bo and I “re-met” in Athens, Georgia he was rapping ATLiens on a stage at our sorority party. Since the duo has been on hiatus since 2007 we were excited to see that Montreux was part of their 20th-anniversary music festival tour!
Last night 12 of us, including 5 of my old co-workers who are in town for global meetings, headed to Montreux via train. We arrived in time to brave the pouring rain to grab a few beers and dinner from the food and drink stands surrounding the main music area. Typically the views and atmosphere would be incredible with the lake and majestic mountains surrounding the festival but yesterday it was nothing but rain and low lying clouds.
As we were late leaving Geneva we entered the auditorium just minutes before Outkast went on stage. We were in the general admission section which was standing room only. This worked to our advantage as when we entered the area was less than half full. We claimed our space about 15 rows from the stage before spending the next 90 minutes sweating, dancing and singing like we were back in Georgia reliving many high school and college memories.
Their set was incredible; including:
B.O.B (Bombs Over Baghdad)
Ms. Jackson
Roses
So Fresh, So Clean
Hey Ya!
ATLiens
Rosa Parks
Ain’t No Thang
While I later found out that some of my co-workers thought Outkast was a jazz group, since we were going to the “jazz festival” I think everyone still had a great time. The concert was perfect for a weeknight as it only lasted an hour and a half. In fact, we were back in Geneva by 12:30am, just in time to see the last five minutes of the Netherlands vs. Argentina game!
What is your favorite concert? Growing up, Outkast was especially popular in Savannah as Big Boi aka Antwan Andre Patton is from Savannah, Georgia but also went to my same high school.
While in New York City, I’ve vowed to live life to the fullest; taking advantage of every great opportunity that comes my way.
Therefore, yesterday, at 4pm when my friend Jessie, with whom I attended University of Georgia, invited me to opening night of the Tribeca Film Festival, I put everything on hold to attend. I immediately cancelled my training appointment, told my manager about the opportunity, and dashed home to change before the event.
I didn’t know much about the event, just that it was going to be a star-studded opening along the Hudson River and rumor had it that Elton John was going to make an appearance after we watched his new documentary.
Don’t worry, I had no idea what to wear. I tried on four different outfits ranging from dresses to jeans until finally settling on my green silk JCrew blouse, skinny jeans, heels, jacket, and my aviators since the event was outside. I threw my Tory Burch flats on and slipped my heels into my purse in case the evening called for them. Within thirty minutes I was in a cab headed down to the Financial District.
It had been ages since I had been downtown and it was amazing to see the progress they had made on all the new development around Ground Zero.
Upon arriving, I was surprised how organized the area was. There was a very clear area for press, attendees, ticket pick-up, and the seating area.
Jessie snagged our snazzy blue wrist bands earlier in the day, by waiting in line for the free Tribeca Film Festival opening night tickets for the public. There were a few thousand people in attendance and there was a section for each wristband color, depending how early you got in line.
By 7pm, Jessie and I had taken our seats in the blue section, along the Hudson River. It was a gorgeous evening filled with a light breeze, sunshine, and blue sky. After a week of rain and overcast weather, this was a welcome surprise for all attendees!
We were surprised by the lack of food and alcohol vendors and instead decided that a Starbucks dinner of champions would have to suffice. We shared a yogurt and their fruit and nut plate along with a bottle of water. It was the perfect amount of food to keep us going until we could get a real meal after the show.
At 8pm, right on the dot, Dennis Leary, took the stage. He is just as sketchy on stage as he appears on television, and he didn’t exactly match the mood. However, he lightened the awkwardness by making jokes about MeatLoaf and Gary Busey. He also introduced the evening’s first act, The Bangles and PS 22 who performed “Walk Like an Egyptian.”
They were adorable, especially during their Egyptian dance, but not exactly what the crowd was expecting.
Jane Rosenthal, one of the Tribeca Film Festival’s founders, took the stage next and thanked everyone while also giving a brief history of the event. The event was started 10 years ago in hopes of bringing movies, businesses, and talent back to the Tribeca area after the tragic events of 9-11.
Tribeca which is held near the Ground Zero, was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff in 2001. Rosenthal in her speech thanked New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, filmmakers and the sponsors. "I could have never have imagined that we would find ourselves here today nearly a decade later," she said.
The evening’s documentary, Cameron Crowe’s “The Union” was introduced by Martin Scorsese, who has also been involved with the Tribeca Film Festival since its inception. He was exactly as I imagined, in his accent and stage presence. He talked about his passion for film and music and how they go hand in hand.
After his introduction, it was movie time! The hour and a half documentary, is the story of Elton John and Leon Russell’s making of their record, “The Union.”
The film shows John and Russell reuniting after having not spoken in 38 years and gives a behind-the-scenes glance at the writing and recording of the collaboration between John, John’s lyricist Bernie Taupin and Russell for the album that was released last year and debuted at No. 3 in the Billboard 200.
It also flashes back to old footage of both musicians in the early 1970s, snippets of guest musicians on "The Union" such as Brian Wilson and various sequences of John hailing Russell, now 69, as the greatest piano player that ever influenced him and crying when Russell composes "In the Hands of Angels" off "The Union."
The movie was interesting and quite entertaining as I didn’t know anything about Leon Russell before last night, nor did I know much about Elton John’s beginning. However, the true magic came at 10pm, when the movie ended and Sir Elton John graced the stage!
The incredible 64 year old singer and song-writer belted out six songs, including two of my favorites, “Tiny Dancer” and “Rocket Man.” He also played our favorite song featured in the documentary, “Shiloh.”
As you can see from the video, he was absolutely amazing! I was elated that my FlipCam actually made its way into my purse last night and was able to capture this experience on film!
So, while I was sad that I wasn’t able to blog yesterday, my first day since January 1st to have missed a post, I think you’ll agree that having the opportunity to see Elton John and experience opening night of the Tribeca Film Festival, is more important. I can’t thank Jessie enough for the incredible opportunity and the very New York memory.
Question: Who is the best artist you’ve seen live in concert?
