The Unheavenly Creatures Album Release Show
A whole two weeks after traveling to Montreal, Canada, to see Coheed and Cambria, they played a surprise show at the Hard Rock in Times Square to celebrate the release of their new album, The Unheavenly Creatures.
I had a heads up about the show, and a link for tickets through New York Comic Con, so I planned a short-notice trip back to the Northeast yet again.
Cram came down from New Hampshire with his new lady friend Chantal.
This was her first ever Coheed show, and honestly I thought a surprise album release show was a little weird to be her first one, but whatever. (Spoilers: she had a good time and that’s what matters.) Biz was MIA all weekend and I was mad about it. Niki was at NYCC all day, Jason was working, and Peter and Anna were celebrating their one year anniversary, so it was mostly just me, Cram, and Chantal for the day before the show started.
The whole crew eventually met up at an Asian place a few blocks from the Hard Rock where I went with Anna almost exactly a year ago. It would’ve been the same weekend she got together with Peter. So weird how things work out sometimes.
Oh yeah and then there was also this asshole Adam (you guys remember Glassjaw Adam from my first Coheed tour? Yeah we have not been friends since then lol) who FINALLY got a new joke, carrying around a framed picture of Jeff Goldblum the entire weekend. Good for him getting a new joke and all, but I was hardcore rolling my eyes about it.
So when I bought tickets for this show, I panicked and grabbed VIP even though had I given myself a minute to think about it, I would definitely not have. I love how my panic instinct is to spend more money instead of less. Oh well.
VIP was weird. We got pictures with the band like usual, but there was no signing and no acoustic song. Yeah I DEFINITELY did not need VIP for this show. Again, oh well.
Fenn had been with me in line, but disappeared to the bar as soon as we made it inside the venue, so I tried to hold a space for him on the stage. (There was no barricade.) I got there and spread myself out as much as all 100 lbs. of me could, and the guy who came up beside me immediately gave me a hard time.
“We were here before you. We got here at 5pm.”
Okay, my dude, look. I got to the line at 2pm and then left for food. Devin’s dad had been there since 11am holding space while most of the crew was at NYCC. He also tried to tell me this show had nothing to do with NYCC… Uh okay well considering everyone who had NYCC tickets got the link to show tickets a week before and you didn’t even hear about it until Tuesday, AND the show announcement said “NYCC Presents” right on it, kindly go fuck yourself.
Then I mostly just tried to explain to him that I was holding space for Fenn, who was WITH THE BAND at NYCC cosplaying as characters from The Unheavenly Creatures. (Photo credit: Andrew Bisdale)
This dude just argued with me until Fenn finally showed up, and all of a sudden he wants to be his best friend. What the heck?! It was kinda funny, though, cuz Fenn was loudly talking about the fact that someone was giving me a hard time while this guy was trying to be his best friend, and as soon as he left to go to the bathroom or the bar or something, I tell Fenn he was the guy. He was amused.
Soon enough Kailyn showed up. I love that girl. I haven’t seen her in forever.
The three of us were pretty far to the left because the middle was full by the time we made it in, and I was not about to wedge myself in near Adam and Jeff Goldblum. Lol nope.
Galactic Empire
The opening band at this show was Galactic Empire, a Star Wars parody band. They were actually REALLY GOOD. I was super impressed and entertained. They were a lot of fun.
Their costumes were pretty great, too. They really go all out with their schtick.
Coheed
I was hoping they’d play more of the new album at this show, but they’re smack in the middle of two tours, so they only added two of the new singles, which is completely understandable. Hopefully we’ll get more new songs on the next big tour.
Dark Sentencer
Here We Are Juggernaut
Devil in Jersey City
Unheavenly Creatures
In Keeping Secrets
The Crowing
Blood Red Summer
A Favor House Atlantic
Ten Speed
The Gutter
Devin’s video of the first time this song was ever performed:
My video of the first time this song was ever performed:
Chantal’s video of me and Kailyn going hard for this song:
Wake Up
Kailyn was a little emotional during this one (and most of the show, honestly), so Fenn and I were hugging her.
Island
Oh Devin… He’s so cute, but this song can be retired from being played live for all I care. I think he’s the only one left who still goes this hard for this song. I’m pretty sure they’ve played it at every single show I’ve ever seen them play.
Old Flames
Devin’s video of the first time this song was played live:
My video of the first time this song was played live:
Fenn and I danced to this one together. I love that weirdo.
After “Old Flames,” the band left the stage, and it was the crowd’s turn to call them back out for an encore. Normally we sing the “Oh oh oh oh”s from “In Keeping Secrets,” but this time we sang the “Na na na na na na na”s from “Old Flames,” and I think they were SUPER happy about it.
Travis’s little dance, ugh cute.
I loved it. It was so natural and fun. And I love that we’re changing it up with the new songs. “In Keeping Secrets” will always be a classic (and it’s my favorite of their albums), but change is good.
Gravemakers and Gunslingers
AHHHH FINALLY I’ve never seen this one live before and I LOVE IT.
Devin got a good video of this one too, thank god, because I was too busy dancing.
Welcome Home
Claudio talked about the phrase “welcome home” and using it in “Dark Sentencer,” which was super cute. Chantal got video of it:
Remember Captain Keywork? I hate that guy now too by the way. (Long story.) Anyway, I saw him crowdstand at the end of the night. Of course he would be there. He handed me a sticker at the end of the night (“Hey Lindsay, I gave these to everyone else…”), but I just took it and kept walking, didn’t even look at him. I’m the fucking queen of avoiding people. I continued to avoid Adam too, even while we were all out with the same group getting food at the end of the night. Whoops.
Picture of me courtesy of Cram. He was right. I am always hungry.
Okay so actually relevant content: Unheavenly Creatures is an AMAZING album. Front to back. My initial reaction to it was that I love it. Then I heard some people talk about how the heavy songs never really get heavy enough, and I can agree with that. But then I kept listening to it, and I still love it regardless. I highly highly recommend checking it out. Quite possible album of the year for me.
Coheed had a few boxsets for sale at NYCC the next day, so Niki grabbed one for a friend and we found our names in the book. Here’s me!
