Jarvis Cocker Music Hall of Williamsburg 7-30-09

Sleek and chic, even while bearded and fully clad in tan and brown, Jarvis Cocker's still got the moves. He played The Music Hall of Williamsburg, which he endearingly remembered was once The North Six, on Thursday night to a packed room. As would be expected of the former Pulp frontman, Jarvis was sassy, overconfident, and full of choreography that he was more than happy to teach the audience. 

I don't think I've seen a performer more interactive with his audience. After waltzing out onto the stage, he lifted his palms to expose the eyeballs that had been drawn on for the purpose of telling him specific audience member's names. He called out Peter, Natasha, Stacy, etc. before belting out his newest single 'Angela.' Other songs included 'Fat Children,' 'Big Julie' and 'Don't Let Him Waste Your Time' and all in between song banter cleverly led into the next song. At one point someone tried to imitate this, in what was a possible request by calling out "What about the common people?" to which Jarvis replied, "It's available on CD." and "Of course I think it's a good song. I wouldn't have written it otherwise."

In other random acts of kindness toward the audience, Jarvis pulled a bunch of grapes out of his pocket and began throwing them into open, awaiting mouths as well as handing his water and beer down into the crowd with instructions that they be shared.

Opener Little Joy was also fantastic in a style contrasting to and much more laid back than Jarvis'. Their nomad European feel, French lyrics, and scruffy faced members momentarily made me want to run as far away from New York as possible. I enjoyed most the songs sung by the soulful Binki Shaprio. If you gave her a haircut and a mini-skirt, she'd fit comfortably into a brit pop band.

It was a great night, but I must say that before the show it was terrible being sent upstairs from the bar only to be met by large closed doors. Everyone had to crowd into a small room for what was likely 30 minutes before the doors opened and we were allowed to stampede toward the stage.