A friend of ours had a piece in Beep Beep’s thematic show where each artist picked a song from Brian Eno’s 1975 album Another Green World. We had attended the opening and enjoyed looking at some of the works. However, we didn’t get a chance to try out the headphones playing the song associated with each piece due to the overwhelming crowd in attendance.
Beep Beep is probably Atlanta’s smallest gallery. So when we heard they were going to have live music at the show’s closing party I had my doubts. The square footage a normal band would require wouldn’t allow anyone else to be in the room. We’d all be standing on Charles Allen Drive, watching the show through the window. But the list of bands and musicians included several of my local favorites – Judi Chicago, Lucy Dreams, a couple of former Selmanaires and the like – with the goal of covering Eno’s entire album so we trekked up to Midtown and joined a beyond-capacity crowd (i.e. more than 8 people.)
The bands were assembled in a weird, reverse-performers-in-the-round setup (the crowd in the middle, surrounded by musicians against the walls). This meant one act would be virtually out of sight on the other side of the room, but then they switched bands and we had a front row position for that act. Next band, different view and so on.
They switched often as each act covered only a song or two off Another Green World, the album that signaled Eno’s transition from rock to more experimental, electronic music.
Unfortunately we couldn’t stay through the entire show due to She Who Shall Not Be Named’s work schedule. But we managed to catch about 3/4 of the show. The concept was fantastic and executed almost flawlessly. Sure, there was a sea of synthesizer but there was plenty of guitar, drums, slide guitar, xylophone, finger cymbals – you name it. I am constantly amazed at the level of creative talent in this town. I should get out more often…
