Like a sucker punch to the jaw using all the powers of every comic book hero in history, Incubus took the stage Wednesday night at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC and commanded what had to have been one of the best performances of that band I have ever seen. This being my sixth time seeing the So-Cal rockers, and them getting better and better as musicians and performers proved they have really come full circle at one of New York's best sounding theaters. They walked on looking like five yuppies from the West Village and opened up with the moody and melodic "Quicksand," off their latest disc Light Grenades and then immediately broke into the hard hitting rock tune "A Kiss to Send Us Off," getting the crowds attention early on and never really letting go. During the middle of their set front man Brandon Boyd and guitarist Mike Ezinger did a few acoustic tracks including a very cool and stripped down version of "Redefine" from 1997's S.C.I.E.N.C.E. then segueing into the acoustic version of "Pardon Me," and "Drive," off of 1999's Make Yourself. The band reached as many tracks as they could in their 90 minute set and defiantly pleased the crowd in what was sure a memorable concert experience. Opening for Incubus was fellow New York City Native Albert Hammond Jr. of The Strokes. Unlike his main band Hammond's side project sounds more like The Shins, Pavement and early David Bowie. Hammond came on stage and really sounded perfect and got the crowd really into his set, music and performance. Also, in case you were wondering fellow Strokes member and front man Julian Casablancas was on hand in his own private booth supporting his friend.
Here is Incubus full set list (thanks to http://www.incubusonline.com/)
1/31/2007 - New York City, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom
Setlist:Quicksand- A Kiss To Send Us Off -Wish You Were Here- Have You Ever -Anna Molly Paper Shoes -When it Comes- Redefine (Remix) -Pardon Me (Acoustic) -Drive (Acoustic) -Earth To Bella 1 -Under My Umbrella- Light Grenades- Diamonds and Coal -Sick Sad Little World Dig Encore: Pistola -Megalomaniac
