Review Wed Apr 29 2009

Review: Flight of the Conchords

Even though last night's sold out Flight of the Conchords show was at the distant Arie Crown Theater at McCormick Place, the trek was worth it. The New Zeland comedy duo Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement began the 2 hour show with electronic dance jam "Too Many Dicks on the Dancefloor" about, well, too many dicks on the dance floor--complete with robot heads and disco-"balls."

Chicago was in for a treat as they pretty much threw the setlist aside and played some fan favorites (although Bret had to remind the audience that they were "not a jukebox") including "Hiphopopotamus," "Foux du Fafa" and the one that never made it into the tv show, "Jenny." The regular set ended with "We're Both In Love With a Sexy Lady" which transitioned right into "Sugalumps" when they left their instruments and danced (well, more thrusted their 'sugalumps') to the front of the stage and into the crowd. HIGH-larious. And that is the one word I would use to describe the whole evening, including opener (and landlord) Eugene Mirman with his bit about Delta Airlines.

Of course there was a lot of banter with the audience--including a fan-made collage brought on stage--and some talking about talking, and playing songs. They tried out a couple of new songs that weren't as impressive as their earlier material (I may be biased since I hadn't already heard these tunes a hundred times before), including a Western tune that reminded me a little of Tenacious D's "Tribute" to the "greatest song in the world," just more clever.

If you didn't have the opportunity to see the Conchords last night, they play again tonight at the Aire Crown. Tonight's show is also sold out, but check craigslist or even take your chances and go down to the venue for someone looking to unload extras. I highly recommend it.

Chicagoist has some more great pics of last night you can see here.

— Michelle Meywes / Comments (1)