Judi Chicago, Noot d’Noot

First, the usual disclaimer about the quality of these photos. A) I don’t believe clarity = quality. I want the image to convey the feeling of the event, not just the reflection of light off the surface. B) I’d rather enjoy the show than constantly fiddle with the camera. C) I hate using a flash.

But I have to say even I am disappointed by this particular batch. 1) It was hot as a goddamn oven at The Earl for this show. It is likely my sweat-drenched hands smudged the camera lens at some point. 2) I cannot stand still at a Judi Chicago show. Even when I try the people around me constantly bump into me with their booty shaking. It’s a fucking dance riot.

OK, on with the show.

So I heard Travis, 1/3 of Judi Chicago, is moving to NYC. Not that I would’ve missed the show anyhow, but knowing this would be the last one for a while I actually bought tickets in advance, even an extra ticket in case it sold out and a friend wanted to go. Fortunately it wasn’t packed, at least at the start of the evening, because if there had been one more body-heat-generating person in the room the EMT’s would’ve been hauling people away in ambulances.

Judi Chicago started off with more energy on stage than the crowd could absorb, but soon the excess turned to success and the fans started shaking, shimmying, jumping, and gyrating despite the heat.

It’s rock, it’s electronic, it’s dance, it’s punk – but most importantly it’s got irresistable hooks. The sound is upbeat, but the lyrics are rich in black humor, a contrast I particularly enjoy. Live, they swap instruments, charge into the crowd, roll around on the floor, sweat and smile and dance. It’s a show.


They invited Noot d’Noot to join them for the last couple of songs, a bunch of them piling on stage for the grande finale, Fun City, which slowly built layer upon layer of sound and intensity until it popped like the Hindenburg. Fan-damn-tastic.
“That song alone was worth ten dollars,” said degenerate CD.

Yet in the midst of this there are still those people who will not dance. Who the fuck are you, Sir Nose?

If you’re not enjoying the show, why are you in my way? If you’re not dancing, why are you up front? I don’t get it.

I took a break between bands and found the front room much more tolerable, then walked out the door to find that even at midnight it was almost unbearable outside.

In the back, Noot d’Noot tried to keep the energy going with their mix of funk, African and Latin grooves. The crowd ate it up.

I wasn’t willing to push my way through the mob to get photos of the horn section. The floor was slick with sweat and spilled drinks and condensation raining from the A/C vents but still the crowd didn’t stop moving.

By the end of the show I was drenched head to toe, but still smiling ear to ear.
It’s absurd the level of talent we have in this town. Thank you, Atlanta.