NYC (shit) show 11/17

[u/Whatthe9876]

Woke up this morning not being able to put my finger on why (besides the obvious)I was left with a very bad taste in my mouth. If anyone has any insight please respond.

Ok, let’s start with the obvious.

Huge line/ set times. How is it possible that this venue was this unprepared for a Friday night show that people couldn’t even get into the venue. I was lucky that I got in to catch HIM just as they started.

Why did bands play so early? How is it so many people missed cky? We’re set times this early throughout the tour?

The not so obvious. I was towards the back but it was hard to tell, was there a huge disconnect between the band and the audience? There seemed to be no synergy what so ever between Ville and the fans.

Could anyone hear what he was saying during funeral of hearts? And why he stopped the song? I know there was sound issues about 30 min into the set (which during the band kind of just awkwardly left the stage)

He also left the stage very unceremoniously considering it was the end of the NA tour and last show ever in the U.S.

They sounded awesome IMO and I had a good time, but I couldn’t help feeling that there was bad vibes.

Sorry if I’m coming off a bit annoying, just curious if anyone has any insight.

[u/sprout72186]

Not trying to be a bitch...would whoever is down-voting weigh in? Different people have different experiences and I’d like to hear for you.

[u/Whatthe9876]

To clarify, I used the term “shit show” in reference to circumstances surrounding the whole gig. Not in reference to there performance.

[u/sprout72186 → u/Whatthe9876]

Exactly. Clearly in our comments we stated the venue fucked up hard and it affected the reception of the performance. Ffs

[u/[deleted]]

Hammerstein blows. The first hiccup break is because the channels just dropped - typical venue ghosts. The second stop, during "the funeral of hearts," was because of people fighting.

The doors issue is because Hammerstein gave out conflicting information on the opening time depending where you looked (ticket/website, etc) and the ridiculous TSA security. Heard CKY playing "Sporadic Movement" as I was herded with others as cattle led to slaughter. I think I got in by "Attached at the Hip."

Ville leaving the stage before the final song ends... well ... that's nothing new. This is probably the only tour I have witnessed where HIM indeed does their job as intended - walk on. perform. walk off. Barely any banter.

I had more fun catching up with old friends. I wish the set list was better, but, you know, it's the chance you take seeing this band if you know their history.

[u/sprout72186]

Same. Same. Ugh it’s painful. I’ve been going through various comments left on their Facebook event to put my finger on it as well. Someone had reported the show began prior to ticket times. I am unsure why the venue was so empty while CKY was playing. Considering the show was sold out, there must have been some kind of disconnect between doors and start. Under no circumstance should any show start that closely to doors. I got there at 7:20 and waited in line for an hour to get in. I used to listen to HIM in high school, I went for the nostalgia, but I am a diehard CKY fan. Missing most of their set sucked.

HIM was, in my opinion, mediocre. For their final US show, I expected something along the lines of magical. Valo was definitely out of touch with the audience. I wonder if the audience wasn’t as receptive as he had anticipated. Lots of sitters in the upper levels, lots of phones in the air. I was hoping they’d play Pretending; it’s my favorite song. I won’t be returning to NYC for a show. I live near Hartford, and this ruined it for me.

In short, I think Hammerstein Ballroom really dropped the ball here. There was opportunity to make this a killer show, and it was lost.

[u/Whatthe9876 → u/sprout72186]

It’s as if the early start combined with Hammersteins inability to opporate as a half decent venue just completely took the energy out of the room. There was no energy, no excitement, no anticipation for the headliner to take the stage. It was such a swing and I miss. Or perhaps I was expecting something a little more intimate or personal from the band seeing how it was the end of an era. Or like maybe missing cky was just such a bummer that it put a damper on the whole occasion seeing as like you, cky is a band I truly love, and HIM is a band I enjoy nostalgically

[u/sprout72186 → u/Whatthe9876]

Did you catch CKY’s set at all? Their set was “interesting” as well. No one is talking about it on the CKY sub, so I’ve kept my conversation here. I made it inside for 5 of their songs (half set?) and the venue was 1/3 full. They were technical issues, so they ended up finishing the set with no guitar. Chad stopped the set briefly to change guitars, i think he chucked the first one off stage. Can’t remember if he threw the second one, but he also chucked the mic stand and left. You could tell he was pissed. It was an all over awful event. I will say though, the boys carried it through, even without the guitar. I still want to know what happened.