MOG

So back in January, my boyfriend, Mike, learned that Blue Man Group was coming to Raleigh. The night before the tickets went on sale, he set the alarm to wake up early so that he could buy tickets online. Though I didn’t think the Blue Man Group warranted waking up extra early to score tickets, I didn’t interfere. Honestly, until he mentioned they were touring, I figured by now the Blue Man Group would be performing in Vegas dives that cater to the elderly cigarette-and-oxygen-tank set who take dinner at 4:30. Also, I figured there were at least three Blue Man Groups operating throughout Vegas under the name the Green Man Group (you know, to avoid name infringement lawsuits from other members). However, one to never turn down a concert (within reason, of course), I agreed to go with.

On the way to the RBC Center, we passed an old tan Volkswagen van with a peeling “peace” sticker on the back. “They’re going to Blue Man,” Mike predicted. Already wondering what the Blue Man Group fan base was comprised of, I imagined Mike and I surrounded by 21st century hippies. However, as we pulled into one of the three arena entrance lanes, I determined I couldn’t get a clear (albeit generalized) consensus of Blue Man Group fans. There were cars of all varieties and people from all walks of life. This notion became all the more abundant when we entered the center. I spent the time leading up to the show taking the fans in (and wanting a pretzel that on principle I refused to buy because of jacked up concession prices).

The Blue Man Group’s opening act was Mike Relm, who combines skratching with movie scenes, including splicing himself into the opening scene of _Reservoir Dogs_. Relm has a musical background in piano, trumpet, video and documentary directing, and DJing. I could tell the older folks in the audience didn’t really get his performance, but I thought, _wow, this is something that everyone will be doing in 10 years with common ability_. I realize that people have been skratching for years, but Relm has added a new layer; his performance reminded me of how amazing the layering of music truly is. I mean, look at how we use music (well, art) to create, or essentially build, more music and art. Here was this guy making music out of clips from films and audio from records. While Relm’s work may not be overly amazing by many contemporary music standards, it has been innovative enough to get him an opening gig with Blue Man Group, right?

Blue Man Group is interesting, and their show “How to Be Megastar Tour 2.0” was entertaining. Admittedly, prior to the show the only information I knew about them was that they are performance artists from New York and headlined shows in Las Vegas. I still can’t say their music is my cup of musical tea, but I can appreciate them. I understand now why their fans connect with them; their music touches on the drudgery that is the workplace, and it advocates ascending the emptiness of conformity. Songs like “Time to Start” and “Sign Along” encourage people to break free of the confinement of their everyday lives (hmm, much like a trip to Vegas). Also, the show is about human nature. It’s natural to feel foreign in certain circumstances (both familiar or unfamiliar environments). Who hasn’t felt held back by a job? Ever felt like you should be narrating a documentary on the behavior of chimpanzees while in a staff meeting? Blue Man Group plays to those feelings. Also, the blue men are, well, blue, and they approach the musicians in their band as well as the audience with alien-like prowess. In addition to the theme of ascending conformity, the show also hits on the theme of wanting to stand out. With this theme, however, Blue Man takes a comical approach. They come across a kit being sold on late-night television that will teach them the hundreds of movements involved in becoming a music star. Playing to this lighthearted theme breaks the seriousness of the isolation theme (while teaching audiences, who wade daily in mediocrity, how to achieve the ultimate fantasy: becoming a megastar!). All in all, the show was fun and spawned a long, coffee-fueled conversation between Mike and I about our life-long goals and dreams (despite the fact that we both had to wake up at six to get ready for the workday).

Peace.