By Will, June 27th 2010 — with 8 comments
While on the subway heading towards Bowery Ballroom, I was feeling a mix of emotions. I had mentally prepared for Voxrot’s final show at Bowery Ballroom for weeks, yet it didn’t quite hit me that Voxtrot would be playing their very last note in a few hours. I was exhausted from attending The Creators Project all day, and I needed to get ready for the dramatic as the one I was about to see.
I met my friend Chris at Bowery at around 8pm sharp, gaining a good spot up front. The first opener was The Black, an band from Austin, Texas who had Jason & Matt from Voxtrot in their lineup. They played alt-country rock that had its fair share of southern twang and rockabilly influences. Next was Ravens and Chimes, a local New York band. They impressed me a great deal, with a warm genuine sound. One of their new songs really stood out to me. I believe it was called “Carousel”. It was an incredibly powerful song that I can’t wait to hear in its recorded form. Keep an eye out for them. Big things are in store. Last up was another Austin, Texas band called YellowFever. They consisted of only two members, playing jangly rock that weaved in and out of a dark possessed sound.
By this point it was almost 11pm, and I was becoming impatient for Voxtrot, and I wasn’t alone. From where I was standing, I had a wonderful view of the hallway where the bands entered the stage. Before Voxtrot came on, I saw them huddled together in a group hug. It was a touching moment that I was fortunate enough to see. It was a perfect symbol for the end, and the image will be one I will treasure forever.
Voxtrot started with the dramatic opener “Introduction” and right away I was able to feel the lively pulse of an audience who was well aware that we were seeing something special. The crowd knew this was the last time we would ever see Voxtrot together on stage, and they weren’t going to take it for granted. They weaved in and out of songs from their one and only album like “Firecracker” and “Kids Gloves”. This was nice, but to everyone’s happiness, most of the show was dedicated to songs from their earlyEP’s/singles. After all, these songs were their bread and butter.
All throughout the night fans were screaming to hear songs like “Soft & Warm”, & “Raised By Wolves”, and who could blame them. Those songs are what play in our head when we think about Voxtrot. They’re like a first kiss. While each subsequent kiss is enjoyable, but the first will always be your first, and nothing can change that. The crowd sung along to these classics triumphantly, sharing genuine smiles that prove there is nothing quite like an emotional tie to music. I was about 14-15 years old when I discovered Voxtrot, and a flood of memories from these times hit me during each song.
The band still had the same energy that we saw back in their blog buzz days. They jumped around with passion and youthful energy, acting as though it was their first show again.
Ramesh dedicated each song to someone he knew. Be it a family member, friend, or music industry pal, each song went out to someone.
When the band kicked into “The Start Of Something”, the crowd absolutely lost it. It’s arguably the bands finest moment, and it’s final live performance was as epic as they come. It was treated as the anthem that it is. Everyone was swept up, lost in the moment. It was truly a beautiful scene that I can’t describe properly through words. You just had to be there.
Ramesh thanked the crowd for being emotionally invested in his band, especially when there are so many other bands out there. With the crowd in the palm of his hand, and heart, he introduced “Missing Pieces” as the last Voxtrot song to be played live – ever. Some of the crowd booed, probably because they didn’t know how else to react. It was tough to swallow, but once the song started, everyone in the crowd acted as if it was the last song they would ever see. Ramesh finished the song by singing in the crowd, singing in the arms of those that carried Voxtrot to their success.
It was tough for me to accept, but Voxtrot are no more. While the performance was absolutely top class, you could tell the band was ready to move on. They had accepted this break up and moved on long before last night’s show. When they walked off stage it wasn’t a dramatic teary eyed goodbye. Sure they hugged, and waved goodbye somewhat reluctantly, but it wasn’t as dramatic as one would think. It was a telling sign that the Voxtrot we loved is a part of the past.
Seeing them walk off stage was the end of an amazing journey. Yet, the journey will continue, within us. Every time we listen to those songs we will be hit with nostalgia, recalling the time when a young band from Austin, Texas climbed their way to the top, becoming one of the first bands to ever dominate the internet. There is no shame for Voxtrot calling it quits. They realized that they are ready for new things, and I am glad they quit while they were ahead.
During the show, Ramesh dedicated a song to all the fans who were fans of Voxtrot from the beginning. I was indeed there for Voxtrot’s begin, and I was a part of their end. Thanks for everything Voxtrot. It was a pleasure to be a part of your amazing ride.
Setlist:
Introduction
Raised by Wolves
Firecracker
Kid Gloves
Your Biggest Fan
Long Haul
Steven
Soft and Warm
Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives
Age of Consent (New Order Cover)
Berlin, Without Return
The Start of Something
Wrecking Force
Encore:
Whiskey
Missing Pieces
My photos are posted after the jump. Hope you enjoy them.
Update: I also added some videos I found on youtube. Those are after the photos of Voxtrot.
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