I wasn’t sure what to expect at this show. How many people were going to be there? Who was getting on? Was Stretch, Bob and Lord Sear going to sit there and snap on cats in the crowd all night? Two things I definitely didn’t expect were the large turnout and the energetic crowd. I’ve been to enough classic Hip-Hop shows in NYC to know that people don’t come out to shows anymore. And, for those that do make it out, most like to stand in the crowd and give artists the face like “yeah, I’ve seen better.” Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the crowd. But where are all these dudes and the handful of lovely young ladies at other NYC shows? Where were they at the Nice & Smooth show in BB Kings a few years back, where there was literally no one left after the mud wrestling opening act was through. Yeah, I know. Things got so bad that the venue started giving out free tickets to people on the street outside…for a show that costs 30 bones previously. So the crowd was chock full of random tourists and passerbys with nothing better to do that night. Where are all these “real” fans hiding? Do people not care enough to make an effort anymore? Do people even know about these shows? It takes me less than five minutes online to see what’s going on in the next few months so I can’t imagine it’s a question of accessibility. Which means it has to be a lack of interest. For a long time, and even still, I’m mad bitter about all the shows I go to and seeing a thin crowd. I’ve gotten used to it but it doesn’t mean I’m happy.

Enough ranting. Stretch & Bob 20th anniversary. Classic. Audio below and videos after the break.

update: Peep the audio this Wednesday on EVR.

update 2: Audio below.

Stretch & Bobbito 20th Anniversary Celebration @ Le Poisson Rouge 2.10.11 by GRANDGOOD