As the saying goes, there are always two sides to every story. And yeah, I have to say that’s pretty true because I was about to really experience that for the first time being a performer and a reviewer of the same show.
I’ve always been heavily involved in music. My involvement with music hasn’t just been from a standpoint of listening and critiquing, but also the culture, style, and idiosyncrasies that come along with each artist and genre.
On Friday, February 22, 2019, my band SwanoDown and I had the opportunity to be on the same bill as hip hop legends Method Man & Redman at Ram’s Head Live! as part of One Koast Entertainment’s Frozen Harbor Music Festival.
Ram’s Head is one of the most respected venues on the East Coast and one of my career goals was to perform there, and now I’ve had that chance.
Recently, I saw Mos Def, H.E.R., and Jorja Smith on that same exact stage.
Even though one my dreams came true, there is one aspect of the dream that wasn’t in the original plan— being an entertainment writer. I was in a unique situation because I had to focus on our band’s performance while maintaining the mindset of a critic. This ended up being very beneficial because everything that I’d critiqued in the past prompted me to pay attention our band’s performance. This included the lighting, set-up and most importantly, the SOUND.
After long hours of preparation, it was finally time for us to perform. Everything went as planned, and the audience seemed to truly enjoy themselves.
Once our set was complete and we headed backstage and it suddenly hit me that I wouldn’t be having a typical day at the office. For every live concert that I have reviewed, my point of view was always from in front of the artists, the same place that the rest of the audience views the show.
The vibe and anticipation waiting for the headlining act to appear is completely different from behind the scenes. In all honesty, the feeling may even be a bit more intense. Instead of just waiting to see the performers simply hit the stage, you’re waiting to see their dressing room door open and see them make their way into the spotlight.
Method Man walked to the stage in a heavy navy blue winter coat with white fur. His confidence could be felt with every Staten Island bop he took closer to the forefront. His control and demand of the venue could be felt even before he uttered a single word. All eyes were on him and an immense level of respect rose throughout the backstage hallway.
Photographers began to capture pre-show moments that are unique to every individual performance and finally it was show time! The voices of about one thousand people erupted exuberantly as they saw the legendary duo together.
Madeline McQuillan
Method Man
I was on stage during the entire hour and a half set and there was never a dull moment. Musically and visually, Redman and Method Man kept the crowd engaged. They performed Wu-Tang classics, including: “C.R.E.A.M.,” “M-E-T-H-O-D Man,” and “Shimmy Shimmy Ya.”
What mostly impressed me about their set was the obvious preparation and rehearsal that had taken place between the two. Every move they made, and every word they spoke had some form of relevance to the show. There were even a few choreographed dance moves that came off very fluid and genuine. There were two DJs on the stage, one of them happened to be the creator of the iconic Wu-Tang “W.”
During Method Man and Redman’s “break,” they ignited the DJs to flaunt their swift and flashy turntable skills. Even though they were not the center of attention for a good five to eight minutes, the show’s energy did not miss a beat. The stage was literally bouncing.
During the show, Method Man and Redman actually signed autographs, and Redman took it to a whole different level once the show ended. He hopped off the stage and began to engage with the audience for another 35-40 minutes. The jubilation and disbelief on the faces and in the eyes of the audience was incredible to see. From my vantage point on stage, it was beautifully organized chaos that seemed to have no end in sight and Redman was down for every minute of it.
It felt like one big happy family at the end of the night and nothing but love resonated throughout the building.
Follow Method Man on Instagram @methodmanofficial and Redman @redmangilla