Legends of Notre Dame threw the B1 Block Party last Friday night, the annual kick off to the new school year that adds a bit of flare and excitement to the student body's first Saturday together. Legends' unofficial congratulatory celebration rewarding the newly christened freshmen on the completion of their first week of classes saw the return of the popular four-man alternative rock band from Chicago, OK Go.
OK Go has had an impressive history with Notre Dame. Back in 2004, the band started as simply the latest "up-and-coming" band to perform at Legends. Then, they rose to prominence as they made their return to Notre Dame in 2007 for "The Show" at The Joyce Center, this time as the co-headliner with Lupe Fiasco (Side note: Based on Fiasco's rapid fall to irrelevancy and disgrace, the staying power and quality of OK Go's music career is quite impressive in its own right).
They played themselves right into the hearts of the student body, as they included the Notre Dame Marching Band in the music video of their single "This Too Shall Pass," while also returning to Legends for another energetic performance. Needless to say, Notre Dame just can't get enough of OK Go.
However, the real story at this year's B1 Block Party came courtesy of another up-and-coming band to perform through Legends. Royal Teeth, a band from Louisiana that doesn't even have their own Wikipedia page, stole the show on Friday night. Featuring lead vocalists Gary Larsen and Nora Patterson, the band performed with high energy and fervent passion the entire set.
This was an impressive feat at any rate, but on Saturday even more so. They were burdened with the task of opening the entire event and with playing for a crowd that was still filing into the venue despite the fact that they were halfway through their set, but they overcame these challenges by playing with an "amateur" style.
I say that they played with an "amateur" style with absolute admiration, because I appreciated the way they played with joy and genuine pleasure on the stage, looking and feeling as if they were simply happy to be there.
A simple look around the crowd was all it took to vindicate their performance. What was once a hesitant and, frankly, inattentive audience gradually transformed into a one that was clapping along.
As their performance climaxed with their biggest hit "Wild," which was featured on EA Sports' "FIFA Soccer 13" soundtrack, the audience was enthralled.
Legends obtained large "Jumbotron" displays that sat on the stage, displaying text messages from audience members. Amidst some of the typical "Can't wait to see OK Go!!" texts, there were just as many- if not more-messages that reflected audience members' roaring approval and appreciation for Royal Teeth's performance.
OK Go will probably forever hold a special spot in Notre Dame's heart, as their continued involvement with the campus speaks highly to their regard for their fans and Notre Dame and this campus' continued appreciation for the band.
Even tough fans came to see the star power of OK Go, this year's B1 Block Party treated them to an extra helping of musical entertainment in the form of the impressive up-and-comer, Royal Teeth.
Contact Miko Malabute at
mmalabut@nd.edu
