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DCist unfortunately didn't have a critic there, but by all accounts Secretary of Education Arne Duncan made an onstage appearance at last night's Neko Case concert at the 9:30 Club.
... Arne made a special appeal to the college-aged crowd to consider careers in teaching. "We have a chance to change the country," he said. "We want to make sure every child has a great, great teacher. So I want to encourage you….Those of you who love music, love art, love math….We need that next generation of teachers coming in."
So, OK. Yes, encouraging young people to go into teaching is a fine message. But am I the only one who isn't particularly pleased about the idea of actual administration officials, in this case an honest to god cabinet member, interrupting our concert going experiences? It was one thing when we had band after band getting up on their soapboxes about the evils of the Bush Administration during the 2008 presidential campaign. But these are now the people in charge. It just seems, I dunno, not very rock 'n' roll. I certainly wouldn't want to see Tim Geithner on stage at the Black Cat, trying to convince me that rescuing banks is the only way to save the U.S. economy.
In odd but theoretically unrelated news, a tipster sent us the photograph above, showing a fake street sign put up by the 9:30 Club, temporarily renaming part of 9th Street "Neko Case Way." Think they got permission from DDOT before they did that?
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It depends, really who's going on stage and what they say and also what the general tone of the show is as well. I'm not familiar/hipster enough with Neko Case's music to know her general themes, but if the Secretary of Education was at a show of an artist who is a vehement supporter of music education in schools, I don't see the problem. If anything, I'm hoping the Obama administration really mobilizes people like they were in the Kennedy administration to go into civil and public service careers.
The Secretaries of Education and the Treasury have very different roles in our government too. I'm not sure why you're so put off by this, Sommer.
I agree, demonfafa. I was at the show last night, and it didn't seem to be a big deal at all. Arne came onstage with Neko for about five minutes in between the opening act, and Neko's set.
Neko encouraged people to get involved with teaching or tutoring, and praised the need for more music education in schools. I see a great difference between this and the Geithner droning on about bailouts. It didn't have a "political" feel to it, at least not to me.
I'm with Sommer on this, it's odd to mix the official world with something that at least falsly and superficially feels unofficial, or un-secretary of anything-ish. White house stick to your hotel parties.
Neko Case is from Virginia. That is probably the best reason to rip that lame sign down.
Sure, born in VA, but she's spent a lot of time in Canada - which last time I checked - has the same number of votes in Congress as DC, so maybe it is fitting?
I'm still trying to figure out her appeal. Her shows sell out really quickly, but it sounds like tired early 90s alt-rock. Don't get me wrong, I love tired 90s alt-rock, but what makes her's so unique?
She is best known as the lead vocalist for The New Pornographers, so that's probably where many of her solo fans come from. The music's totally different, though.
i'm with you, sommer. can there please be someplace in this godforsaken town where we are NOT bombarded with political junkie news. where we can turn off our blackberries and NOT hear from cabinet members. i'm for separation of RAWK and state.
Sure, but it won't be online at DCist, or really anywhere on the streets. Try Rock Creek Park or the river.
"Think they got permission from DDOT before they did that? "
No DDOT employee worth his/her salt is going to come out and investigate for less than $50 (or two free tix to the show).
There's a long history of political grandstanding at concerts. I particularly remember Secretary of State Dean Rusk telling us not to do the brown acid at Woodstock. Then there was Robert Macnamara's pleas for the Hells Angels to stop beating that guy to death with pool cues at Altamont. And who can forget when Nancy Reagan took the stage for her improptu Charleston during Fugazi's Repeater tour? It just comes down to the old adage: the only thing worse than an old hippie is an old punk. And never trust whitey.
A rat done bit my sister Nell.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Her face and arms began to swell.
(and Whitey's on the moon)
I can't pay no doctor bill.
(but Whitey's on the moon)
Ten years from now I'll be payin' still.
(while Whitey's on the moon)
I was at that show. It was awesome when Nancy followed her Charleston by doing a duet of Merchandise with Ian.
FYI Geithner is supposed to announce acts at fort Reno this summer
I was at the show, too, and honestly, it all seemed awkward to me. From his hurried speech (like the ongoing list of subjects and activities one finds and can embrace in school, like chess club and debate team!), to Neko's “yay for teachers” banter afterwards. If it had been about animal rights, or agriculture, or grey hound rescue, or any issue about which Neko is really vocal, it would have seemed more fitting. Of course we want to support the education system, and of course we love teachers, but it just seemed random and turned into a joke for the rest of the night. As if he were like, ‘Hi Neko, I’m the Secretary of Education. Mind if I make a speech about education?’ I can just picture her looking at him and the secret service around him and stuttering, ‘uh, sure. Of course you can give a speech…’
Neko Case really doesn't know her audience if she thinks she draws a "college-aged crowd" that can be persuaded to being teachers. It seemed entirely out of place. I assumed it would be someone from Defenders of Wildlife who were raising money at the show...
That is the truth, I think the majority of Neko Case's fans are well into their 40's and not really looking at getting into a new field, unless of course it is their first retirement approaching. All-in-all, it just shows a bit of out-of-touchness on Duncans part to think he was reaching out to "the youth of America, at a hip venue" did he yell "put down your bongs and ipods kids, join the workforce and make ye a difference!"
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this post was an effort to state that DC culture (music, the arts) should not be mixed with its politics. When in fact, the two are inextricably linked and every musician/comedian/actor who walks our streets knows it. Anyone who has followed Neko Case for the duration of her career knows that she has always been politically savvy (and progressive in opinion). Is it really her responsibility to "know her audience?" I mean, c'mon... this is music we're talking about, not Nielsen ratings.
It's not like any fans made a big stink about Jeff Tweedy tub-thumping against the last administration at his shows. Are we expecting Neko to just shut up and sing now that the game has changed? In this day and age of homogenized entertainment (hellooooo Clear Channel/Live Nation!), I regard last night's light-hearted introduction as a breath of fresh air.
"But am I the only one who isn't particularly pleased about the idea of actual administration officials, in this case an honest to god cabinet member, interrupting our concert going experiences?"
Was it really that bad? I mean, if it was like any other show I've been to at the 9:30 Club, everyone talked during the opening act and wasn't paying attention anyway. That's really not much of a concert going experience.
Could have been worse. You could have been one of the folks sitting near Condi Rice at a U2 concert at the Verizon Center a few years ago, with the Secret Service clearing a path for her as she arrived, and then left before the show was over.
Although I thought it was odd, I wasn't offended any. I just don't know how many people were amped to quit their jobs and become teachers because of a 5 minute speech...
I agree about the age of Neko's fanbase. I find it odd since I'm (relatively) young and have been enjoying her music back when only alt country hipsters listened. Now it's a bunch of old people at her shows!
fyi, Politico has video" of Duncan.
Question: Do We Really Want the White House at Our Rock Concerts?
Answer: No.