I had low expectations for the Fillmore. Like basement low - and Miami doesn't even have basements. With the exception of Studio A, which will soon be headed to the live music venue graveyard (tell Billboard Live I said hey), there's no place in Miami that consistently hosts (good) mid-level bands. In the past, I've seen (good) shows in places like the Polish American Club (Of Montreal), Ice Palace Studios (Interpol), Manuel Artime Theater (Jose Gonzalez), The Gusman (Ben Harper). But unlike other mid-size metropolitan cities -- and this isn't breaking news -- Miami has always been devoid of a permanent, long-lasting locale where one can see a good national act every week. For that, we must schlep to Broward.
But there's hope.
It's still too early to tell whether or not the Fillmore will become Miami's steadfast mid-size music venue, but there were certainly signs of life and hope last night, when Vampire Weekend took to its stage. Music posters have replaced whatever was on the walls when the Fillmore was the Jackie Gleason -- I'm guessing framed stills from a mid-'90s production of Guys and Dolls starring Bea Arthur -- and not Hard Rock Café-ish posters of Jimi Hendrix and The Doors. Take a minute to peruse after the opening act and you'll see Radiohead, Debbie Harry and Iggy Pop. Okay, yes, Jimmy Buffet smiles back at you in the lobby. But at least I couldn't find Gloria Estefan.
Drinks are the only reminder you're still on South Beach. I suggest pre-partying at nearby Zeke's (as long as it isn't a Monday, when they're closed) or Deco Drive Cigars and hookah bar, which, like Zeke's, boasts $3 brews. Or flask it. But you didn't hear that from me.
But back to Vampire Weekend. The band originally was scheduled to play the Langerado Festival back in March, but canceled so they could appear on SNL. If you want to read more about them, click here. VW is about as indie as they come. The only indie show I've been to here that has sold out was Cat Power. And that was at Studio A, a space much smaller than the Fillmore. VW sold out. Straight up sold out. And VW isn't like Strokes/Killers/White Stripes indie -- bands that if you namedropped them to a mainstream music listener who asked you what kind of music you liked and you said indie rock then they would know who you were talking about - they're more like Death Cab for Cutie when they got played on The O.C. and everyone was like, ooh, let me download The O.C. Season One Soundtrack because I really like that song they played in the third episode indie.
So yeah, I wasn't expecting VW could sell out Churchill's let alone the Fillmore. But they did. And the kids - and when I say kids, I mean there were parents waiting in their Volvos after the show - were singing along, jumping, I think I even saw some PG-13 moshing. The energy in the air was enigmatic, and even the band could feel it, as several times the lead singer mentioned how surprised he was to get such a boisterous, welcoming crowd in Miami. You and me both, buddy.
And I think I like it.
-- miaeditor
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