Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros took the stage at Governor's Island Beach venue, turning it into a folk-rock theater show in three parts -- and it was nothing short of dramatic. In front of a backdrop of Emerald City, the fantastical Wizard of Oz destination, the band entertained.
The first four songs were new, not included on their recently released From Below. After playing these songs, the band took an intermission. But not a quick, five minute break, passed with stage banter -- they took a 30-minute break in between their own sets. Chants were started, slow claps ensued, fans became confused. Nevertheless, at 10pm, the band returned to the stage, ready to entertain to the end.
The second act consisted solely of songs from their album, which, when performed live, sound exactly like a recording. The most electric song, "Home," sent surges of energy throughout the crowd. Their token love story number, it includes spoken dialogue between the frontman, Alex Ebert, and his co-star, Jade Castrinos, about the twosome falling in love. However, performed at Governor's Island, the song instead included a love story of how they fell in love with New York.
The third and final act was complete with the true tragedy of a theatrical production. The climax came and went, and there it was: the end. The encore songs -- a new one of which is still being worked out and did not seem to have a title -- were stunning, and Alex Ebert's talent for songwriting shone through. The final song prompted Alex to demand that the audience take a seat, and if the ground was too dirty, well, they'd have to sit on laps. This song was "Brother", a catchy sing-a-long inspiring number that was the perfect closing to a production as well thought out, strategic, and thrilling as any other.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros exemplified a perfect concert, but of course, that may have also been aided by the surreal Governor's Island Beach venue. The band was dramatic, and kept the audience constantly moving, anxiously anticipating what would might be next and wondering just what the end of the road might hold.
