View more photos in Chris Victorio's "Yoko Ono Plastic Band at The Fox Theater."
Yoko Ono Plastic Band
The Fox Theater
Tuesday, Feb. 23 2010
Better than: Playing The Beatles: Rock Band
When I told friends and Facebook contacts that I'd be seeing Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band during Noise Pop, the reactions were split down the middle. Half the responses were incredulous. You'd pay money to see her? The other half was excited, and dare I say it - a little jealous? But this is to be expected with Ono, whose artistic efforts have always had a galvanizing affect.
On the anti side we have those who believe Ono was a band-ruining usurper, an untalented hanger-on who slithered her way into John Lennon's loins and broke up the world's favorite rock band.
And then there are those of us on Team Ono, who see her work as groundbreaking and appreciate her uniquely oddball composing talents, her avant-garde musical style, her forward-thinking feminist songs, experimental films, and performance art.
Whatever your opinion is, you've got to admit--the spry 77-year-old has charisma.
Local favorites Deerhoof, who opened Ono's show at the Fox Theater last night, know a thing or two about charisma as well. Bounding on stage in a poppy blue tent dress, Satomi Matsuzaki loudly called out, "Pan-da, pan-da, pan-da, pan-da," the first strains of the song off Apple O.
Deerhoof followed with tracks off Milk Man and its latest, Offend Maggie. The band also covered both the Ramones' "Gabba Gabba Hey" and "Going Up Country" by Canned Heat.
Though Matsuzaki and crew were working it overtime -- jumping and thrashing to each disparate chord -- the Fox Theater seemed too big for their typically intimate set-up. The expert guitar riffs were drowned out by vocals and excess stage space. Barring venue size issues, though, it was clear why Deerhoof was chosen to open for Ono. The group's spontaneous and edgy style mirrors the headliner's.
As last night was Ono's first Bay Area show in over 14 years, there were some pretty high expectations mumbling about in the crowd. The anticipation was palpable.
After an intermission of chirping bird sounds, the lights went dark and the audience was treated to a film retrospective of Ono's life and work. There was Ono singing with John, having her clothes cut by strangers in "Cut Piece," and with a young Sean Lennon accepting a Grammy for Double Fantasy.The screen pulled up and a diminutive Ono was smiling on stage, wearing a black tracksuit and white beret. Standing beside her was Sean, holding a guitar, along with Japanese superhero Cornelius, and Yuka Honda of Cibo Matto fame.
After Ono's opening standing ovation, the Plastic Ono Band played a series of songs off its new album Between My Head and the Sky, beginning with the fast-paced "Waiting For The D Train."
Then Ono's signature guttural yelps, climax-style ahhs, and warbled cackles began and stretched through most of the two-hour set. She shoulder-danced to hectic new wave hit "Walking on Thin Ice," sat sweetly humming between Lennon and guest acoustic guitarist Harper Simon for "Will I," and yelled along with a R. Crumb-esque animated video for "The Sun is Down."
The banter and smiles shared between mother and son during sentimental pieces was downright adorable and Yoko seemed to genuinely enjoy herself on the Fox's expansive stage.
The show ended where only a performance of this nature could -- with a giant group sing-along to "Give Peace a Chance." The Plastic Ono Band, Deerhoof, Petra Haden, and friends took turns singing words straight from yesterday's newspaper headlines followed by the audience chiming in for the chorus. "All we are saying," we screamed, "is giiive peace a chance."
Critics Notebook
Personal bias: I used to think of Ono only with regard to the Beatles/John Lennon, failing to recognize her talent for way too long. The guilt haunts me.
Random detail: The crowd was given tiny flashlights and encouraged to shine the lights towards the stage while Ono stared back and repeated the words "I love you."
By the way: Sean Lennon and Cornelius will play a much smaller show tonight at the Independent with Lennon's band The Ghost of a Saber Toothed Tiger.
