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Rating: “What the fuck are you doing? What the fuck are you doing?”
With these words, shouted in chorus from the locker room and broadcast live on the stage's big screens, the best concert ever began.
I searched for them for years, I was waiting for them, I wanted them, but when they came, I was always in the wrong city on the wrong day. But now everything is "Right Right Now Now".
The show begins with the entrance of the world's best DJ, Mix Master Mike, who has been accompanying the BBoys for several years. He takes his position and starts making magic with two_turntables_and_a_mixer. Then they arrive, Mike Diamond (Mike D), Adam Yauch (MCA), and Adam Horowitz (Ad Rock) in customized seventies tracksuits (I WANT THEM!) and kick off with “Root Down” and “Sure Shot” from the unbeatable “Ill Communication”. Thrilling tracks follow, which we can define as a funky-rap section of the show.
Everything is well-packaged and studied, the screens project reworked images of what happens on stage, then clips of films like “American Funniest Homevideos” and, during breaks, some recordings made before the show at the Assago Forum. When "Shake Your Rump" ends, Mix Master Mike goes into a frenzy of omnipotence and unleashes his entire repertoire. It's incredible what he manages to do with just two hands. However, his setup slowly retreats, and, as if by magic, a platform on wheels appears from behind, bringing to the front of the stage a Love Boat-style small orchestra playing slightly retro tunes, surrounded by almost Christmas-like lights. All dressed for a smooth evening, the Beasties guide us into a more relaxed, orchestral, and instrumental section of the show (unforgettable “Sabrosa” and “Ricky’s Theme”) which will conclude with “Something’s Got To Give”.
Still in ecstasy, I see the stage returning to its original setup, and the boys attack again with red T-shirts and personalized prints (“Mr. Bucatini,” “Buona Forchetta,” and “…e andiamo” for the BB while for MMM “Fuochi d’artificio”!!!!!) and start with “Open Letter To NYC”, perhaps one of the best tracks from “To the 5 Boroughs”. Then begins an incredible crescendo from “Body Movin’” to the masterpiece “Whatcha whatcha want”, a prelude to the grand finale that begins with “Intergalactic”, sung from the mixer area towards the frenzied crowd. Back on stage, the Beasties pick up their instruments again for the best possible conclusion, “Gratitude” and, last but not least, “Sabotage”!
The Beastie Boys are the transversal line that unites the most diverse musical genres, from Rap to Crossover, Funky to Blues, Punk to R'N'B. At almost 40 years of age, they still seem like kids for the enthusiasm and desire to have fun they have. They managed to be above any fashion or trend, in a world apart, steeped in "New York-ness". Soho, Tribeca, Village seem to be the ideal backdrop for their performances. Their records should not be on any shelf, neither with the Rap records nor with Rock and Pop. If you absolutely must catalog them, put them on a shelf labeled “Oh my God, there’s a funky shit”.
INTERGALACTIC
Playlist:
Le Brouhaha, Root Down, Sure Shot, Triple Trouble, Pass the Mic, The Skills to Pay the Bills, Super Disco, Breakin', 3 The Hard Way, Shake Your Rump, MMM, Sabrosa, Ricky's Theme, Lighten Up, Something's Got to Give, Open Letter to NYC, Body Movin', Right Now, All Life Styles, 3 MC's and 1 DJ, Slow & Low, Check it Out So, Whatcha Want, Intergalactic, Gratitude, Sabotage
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