REVIEW: “We’re Going Corporate!” Gogol Bordello’s Wild Night at the Plaza
07/16 @ Empire State Plaza, Albany
Photos by Debi Gustafson
“We as a band focus on creating an atmosphere of multicultural celebration where hate has no place. It’s what we do, it’s what we’ve done for 20 years, and we want to continue doing it.”
Wednesday night at The Plaza felt like stepping into a different dimension. Part of the Capital Concert Series, Gogol Bordello’s set was pure chaos in the best possible way. Dancing, moshing, spinning, screaming, boho skirts flying, dreadlocks whipping. Lead singer Eugene Hütz swigged vodka like it was water. Ten minutes in, it was unhinged, and I was obsessed.
Things kicked off with a high-energy set from The Big Takeover, The Hudson Valley’s own genre-blending reggae band fronted by the incredible Nee Nee Rushie. Rooted in the rhythms of Jamaican pop, reggae, rocksteady, and ska, but fused with retro soul and R&B energy. They lit up the crowd and set the tone perfectly.
“This is probably one of the most exciting shows I’ve ever been to,” I told Eugene after the show.
He grinned. “That’s what we do!”
It was full throttle from the first note. Gogol Bordello doesn’t ease you in, not at all; they throw you into the fire, slam the door, and turn the party up.
The show was free, part of New York State’s “Summer At The Plaza” Capital Concert Series. When I asked Hütz what he thought of the space, he laughed: “I told my bandmates, ‘Damn, I’m glad I brought my suit and tie and God bless my new federal job! Workin’ at The Plaza!’” He cracked up. “We walked in with the whole team and said, ‘We’re going corporate!’”
When I asked how they went about planning a setlist, Hütz told me that the band hadn’t played in almost five months. “We have many sets, but all those sets are equally unrehearsed,” he told me. “So we just said, why not go for it?”
It fucking worked.
I asked Hütz how he felt about the response from the crowd. I told him that I’ve never seen a mosh pit at The Plaza, I’ve never seen so many people genuinely rocking the hell out. “Albany never fails to represent,” he said. “But neither do we. It was extra happening, but at the same time, this is always how it goes.”
Then, Hütz began to get into the band's philosophy and why they’re able to make crowds feel the way they do. “We as a band focus on creating an atmosphere of multicultural celebration where hate has no place. It’s what we do, it’s what we’ve done for 20 years, and we want to continue doing it.”
Hütz continued by elaborating on that multicultural celebration. “Y’know, I’m from Eastern Europe, Pedro [Erazo]’s from South America, Korey [Kingston]’s from California, Gil [Alexandre] is from Brazil, lives in New York, and we all come together to make this… I don’t know, I guess, reggae grunge?” he laughed. “But then you’ve got Argentine influence, and you have Erica [Mancini] on accordion. It becomes a little Americana and Romani… It’s kind of taking what we all love and bringing it together and making it work on the stage.”
It makes sense — their sound is a melting pot, and it’s difficult to put into a box. All I know is that the energy is infectious.
The band’s triple whammy of an encore might’ve been my favorite part of the whole night.
They kicked it off with “Solidarity,” a punchy Angelic Upstarts cover that lit the place up. Then came “Alcohol,” which slowed everything down and let the band stretch out. It was dripping with Romani influence and led up to a huge crescendo that made me feel like I was flying. It was so moody, dramatic, and kind of messy in the best way. That one hit me the hardest.
They wrapped with “Undestructable,” loud as hell, heavy, and cathartic. It was all over the place, incredible, weird, sweaty, and I wouldn’t change a second of it. I don’t think anyone else in attendance would either.
I mean, it was so bizarre in the best possible way. An accordion player? Reggae-punk with violinists? A full mosh pit at the Empire State Plaza? It sounds fake, like some big hallucination, but that was Wednesday night in Albany. Even more, that was just another day for Gogol Bordello.
Feeling like you missed out on an amazing night? Have no fear — the Summer At The Plaza Capital Concert Series continues for two more Wednesdays:
July 23rd: Lit with special guest Plush
August 6th: Tarrus Riley and Blak Soil Band with special guest The Meditations
Don’t miss your chance to see these incredible artists for free in the heart of Albany!
