Houston show

[Wallerton]

Sure, the sound was kinda dodgy (no fault of the band) but it was an amazing show... if a little short. When they came out for the encore, Neko asked that the chainsmokers clustered near the front of the stage not smoke for the rest of the show... probably ten more minutes. Was probably interfering with her performance. Anyhoo, this big meaty guy lights up RIGHT AFTER SHE ASKED PEOPLE NOT TO! So they performed "Letter from an Occupant." Carl and the boys were about to launch into another number, but Neko said "no!" and that was that.

Thanks a lot, jackass. Hope you enjoyed that cigarette. Hats off to heroes like you, taking a bold stand for smokers' rights.

So, for all kinds of reasons, it was a memorable night. I just hope they don't hold a grudge against us.

Really liked the Young and Sexy, btw...

[groovekid]

ha! way to go neko for sticking up for non smokers rights! seriously though, a room full of chain smokers will totally hurt her performance. lucky for me, the smoking ban here allows neko to perform encore after encore after encore.
why wouldn't anyone respect neko's requests??? i would of taken that guy out back.....

[c. leo]

I am sorry, but as a non-smoker, I feel the need to stick up for the smokers...

She is in a band that tours bars and clubs. A band that sells many albums to non-smokers, and probably more albums to smokers. A band that needs to sell tickets to a lot of smokers in order to even have the right to announce from the stage that people need to stop smoking.

Seriously, asking someone to stop smoking at a concert is asking for trouble. And to walk off because of it? I'd say it is time for the band -- or more specifically Neko -- to take a break from the road.

I intend no flame...just my two cents.

[Wallerton]

I take your point, but... it's not as if she'd been complaining about it during the WHOLE show. When they came out to do the encore, she just asked--politely--for the smokers to refrain for ten more minutes. Then the guy lit up! They did one last song, and she said "good night!" and started off the stage. Carl looked a bit confused and said, "I thought we were gonna do two." Neko said "No!" and Carl said to the crowd, "for the record, I wanted to do two." But he shrugged and the band left the stage.

I just don't understand why Mr. Smoker Man would do that when--presumably--he had come to see a band he LIKES!

[groovekid]

the guy obviously did it to either just to piss neko off for asking politely, or just to be a dick. would it kill anyone to stop smoking for 10 min? i'm with neko on this one. the guy was a dick. lighting up RIGHT after she said something, come on, thats just being an asshole, and saying in your face neko.
and please, don't say neko...or the np's......need to take a break from the road. thats just foolish.
neko can come and sing all she wants in smoke free new york.

[Fatah Ruark]

Smoking = Natural Selection at work.

MIKE B

[bitterfruit]

That's a dick move of dude at a show to light up right when (the beautiful and talented) Neko asks kindly to refrain from smoking.

Somebody should have spoken to him discreetly, Yo La Tengo style.