I arrive at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA at about 7:45pm, it’s been a long day at the end of an even longer week. Seeing Gnarls Barkley perform live has been the light at the end of the tunnel that’s keep my spirits up these past few days, so I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t as giddy as a school girl. But I was playing it cool.

the venue

Having purchased my ticket online, entry is smooth with zero wait… so far so good. As I enter the main hall, the gravity of the fact that I’m here alone hits me. For a second, I’m sad watching couples and circles of friends congregate and generally mull about on the large open area. But I’m here to have fun, and the sadness only lasts a moment.

Looking up I see two levels of balconies with seating. In front of me the stage sits above a large open area, which is flanked by two bars on either side. The Tabernacle is huge by club standards, but still smallish for a concert hall. Standing at the back of the room, I’m still less than 60 feet from the stage. I’m told a random guy and his equally random girlfriend that this place used to be a Baptist Church. It was gutted of it’s pews and fitted with a proper stage and sound system.

the opening act

A few more minutes of mucking about, then the lights dim and the band takes their positions on stage. As they begin playing the intro music, I realize that I don’t know who’s opening for Gnarls. Just as the thought is crossing my mind, from stage right enters none other than Sleepy Brown.

In a charcoal suit with no tie and his trademark big dark shades, Sleepy slides into the first of a few cuts off his soon to be released album. I breath a sigh of relief, glad that the opening act wouldn’t be mediocre, and start singing along. I look around and realize that no one else is really singing. It’s here I realize that the only reason I know the words is because I got the album of the ‘net early and have a two week head start on everyone else.

(Don’t worry Dungeon Family fans… I WILL be purchasing Sleepy’s album when in drops on Tuesday. I support artists I care about by going to shows and buying albums. I just have little patience and like getting things early to recommend to my friends.)

After about 30 minutes of amazing soul music (punctuated by a spike of funk as Sleepy shares the stage with his father, Jimmy Brown of Brick) and a quick plug for his upcoming LP, Sleepy performs a rendition of Margaritas. Big Boi of Outkast pops on stage, spits a quick verse (much to the crowd’s glee) and is gone as quickly as he came. Sleepy says goodnight and exits the stage. The lights come back on, the crew starts setting up for the next act and the crowd resumes mulling about.

the main event

Eventually, the house lights go down again and from stage right enters Gnarls Barkley (Guitarist, Bassist, Drummer, Keyboardist, and a String Quartet). They’re all dressed in a roman theme, with white togas and golden laurels. Gnarls is somewhat known for their silly costumes. Danger Mouse sets up behind his soundboards and keyboards, perched above and behind everyone else. He, too, is wearing a toga with his trademark dark glasses. I wonder if he even has eyes…

Suddenly, the band launches into (surprise) a cover of Queen’s We Are the Champions as Cee-Lo marches onto stage. He’s dressed like a roman soldier: large golden breastplate, gold helmet with red mohawk and a large plastic sword. He directs the crowd through the song with the sword like a bizarre choir director. Then, tossing the sword and helmet aside, Gnarls Barkley crashes into Go Go Gadget Gospel, the first of their original songs to be performed tonight. During the course of the show, they’ll perform every song on their album St. Elsewhere, an acoustic version of Transformer and a few covers.

Cee-Lo spasticly bounces around the stage like a man possessed. In light of the fact that I’m in an old church, I can’t help but draw the parallel to this being something like a southern baptist revival. People are dancing, shouting, waving hands. Cee-Lo’s apparently got the holy ghost. Between songs, he instructs us (the audience) to share our positive energy. I’m normally pretty reserved, but I’ve been jumping and shouting and singing. I wonder for a second is this how people feel in church, when they get to shouting and crying…

Meanwhile, perched above the action, Danger Mouse is stoic… focused even. He’s working the boards like a madman, unfaded by the madness unraveling at center stage. Danger Mouse is in the eye of the hurricane.

The show flies by in a blur of sound and colored light and before I know it, Gnarls Barkley is exiting the stage. After an extended ovation, they come back out. Cee-Lo then brings out some special guests. From backstage comes Goodie Mob, and for the first time in a long time Cee-Lo, T-Mo Goodie, Khujo Goodie and Big Gipp share the stage. By now, I’m ecstatic… but they don’t perform. It’s merely a show of support.

Two more Gnarls Barkley songs (including the aforementioned acoustic Transformer) and the show’s over for real. I, along with the rest of the crowd, head for the door and subsequently my car to begin the long ride home. I feel revived, happy… like I’ve been to church. In a way, I guess I have.

retrospect

All in all, it was an awesome show… I can’t think of any other way I’d have rather spent my Sunday evening. I can’t think of anyway the show could have been better. Well, maybe if Goodie Mob had actually performed… or if Andre3000 had shown up and Outkast had performed. But that’s all just wishful thinking.

Cheers.