Saturday June 14th, 2008 was one of the best days of my life.  A month or two before I found out that Vampire Weekend was going to be playing in Central Park, which was reason enough to go because they haven’t played a show nearby in a period longer than I could bare. But the best part about it was that it was FREE! These guys are incredible and I have been listening to the album non-stop since it came out.

Anyway the day started out beautiful. The sun was shining and few clouds were in sight. We got into the city around 1:00 and were planning on going to Shake Shack which my brother said was amazing and after seeing the line I figured it must be.

But I did not want to risk cutting it close on time. I knew that the gates would open at 3 and we needed to be there earlier if we wanted to get in. So we made our way to John’s pizza because we figured there would be less of a wait. On the way, however, my bro suggested going to Rickshaw Dumplig Bar. One thing you don’t know about me: I LOVE DUMPLINGS. And these were delicious. I got the classic pork & chines chive in clear soup. You know when food is really good you can almost imagine the taste in your mouth whenever you think about it, yeah that’s how good these dumplings are.

After the dumplings we were stuffed. So we slinked down to the subway and made our way to Central Park. We saw lots of people standing in a mass when we got in. Something like this

We came to see Vampire Weekend and a little line was not going to stop us.  We took our spot in line that was a good 100 ft from the gates. So we waited. And waited. Then, waited. Suddenly, it was 3:00 the gates had opened! But we didn’t move. 20 minutes later, the line moves about 24 inches. Then, we wait. Another five minutes and we move a little bit more. It is hot and my body is all sticky from sweat and the humidity only makes it worse. About 15 ft from the gates and 4:00 I hear someone speaking.  Born Ruffians had taken the stage and begin to play. A minute or two later it begins to rain. We welcome it because of the heat. We refuse the use of an umbrella because of how refreshing it in. Finally we get in!

Born Ruffians is really good.

Very catchy and fun to listen to. When we get in we are all the way on the right and inch our way through the people for a decent view. During their set I lead us through the people for a better spot. Whenever there was an opening I went for it.

As Born Ruffians finish their set the rain comes pouring down. Lightening strikes and thunder booms. At one point it was really close and I think everyone in the audience turned around to look. The rain didn’t stop and no band was playing, just music from the speakers.  We decided to put all our cell phones and electronics into my bag thinking it was water-proof.

As it let up a little DJ A-TRAK’s equipment was loaded onstage.

DJ A-TRAK was really awesome. He DJed for a little while the storm calmed down. Soon after Kid Sister came onstage. She had had one few too many beers. It was quite comical. And her funky dancers didn’t help the integrity of her performance at all.

See:

Kid Sister

purple dancer

yellow dancer

Kid Sister was really hot though. She has at least that going for her.

Finally, it was time for Vampire Weekend! We checked my bag to see if it was really water-proof…it wasn’t. I was pretty upset but in my mind I was saying “you are about to see VAMPIRE WEEKEND!” so i stopped thinking about it and was blown away by their performance.

They played the whole CD, “Ladies of Cambridge”,a new song called “White Sky”, and a Tom Petty cover. The crowd was ecstatic and so was I. After waiting for so long in the cold rain, Vampire Weekend lifted every one’s spirits to a soaring level. Their was a collective surge of energy. Ezra (the lead singer) thanked the crowd for sticking it through. I think everyone was more than delighted that they had decided to stay.

It was a legendary concert and I really hope their next stuff is just as good.

After the concert was over we walked to the subway as it began to rain yet again. We decided to go to Shake Shack for dinner but there was no where dry to eat there cause all it is a shack with some tables around it. So we made our way to the subway with the food in our hands while dripping water on the floor. We ate it in Port Authority. It was the best cheeseburger and chocolate shake I have ever had. Truly I could go NYC just for it and nothing else. Well if Vampire Weekend was playing then I would stay…lol.

And that was one of the best days of my life.