Koop Event 11/10

[NirvanaMan]

Where could we get Llama for dinner in LA to round out the night?

[€uroMeinke]

First off, as wonderful as the El Rey show was a couple months ago this one was even better. The Band is tight, and Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen just seems all the more comfortable with the band. The performance was great and I just hated to see it end.

The event itself was also one of those magic LA moments that took me by surprise

Having just seen the band I was a bit reluctant to go to this, but the last performance was son good and the strange email I got made it sound like an interesting event all around. I never heard of the venue before, The Barker Block, and following the link I just got a a real estate page describing a Loft conversion. Was this a live work space with a concert venue? The tickets on the other hand said "rain or shine" implying an outdoor event. re-reading the email it was linked to a food and wine festival and VIP tickets were available to participate in wine tastings. The tickets also said Doors open at 5:00 with concert beginning at 7:00 - two hours before the show? it just seemed odd.

Having finished with the Dali show at LACMA around 5:00 (and honestly that show deserves it's own post but in light of the rest of the night it was an appetizer) we decided to head on over to the venue, expecting maybe some sort of street fair and a chance to get a snack. When we arrived it seemed our expectations were correct, the street blocked off, a few people milling about - but then there was a check out table staffed by half a dozen pleasant and attractive people in Barker Block T-****s. When we tried to enter at the "gate" we were met with awe and wonder by the staff that we had tickets, and a number of people gathered around to see what they looked like. To enter we needed wrist bands, and a quick stop at the table had us tagged and ready.



So wandering into the venue it slowly dawned on us that this was no ordinary street fair. Sure there were booths set up with different cuisines, and we quickly passed them at first to head to the warehouse building, which was full of giant papermaché Dias de le Muerta puppets and the wine tasting event still going on. Getting our bearings we slowly explored the outside booths. Yes cuisine of various types, but OMG food of the highest caliber for pennies. The $2 tacos we had on a whim were some of the best, then there was a dessert table with these incredible pastry confections, dustings of coco powder, or sugary twigs that melted in your mouth. Lisa looking for some sparkling water took us to a table where we tasted designer waters flavored with kumquat, lemon grass, rhubarb, or lavender.



After our feast, we headed to the lofts, which of course were being shown by what seemed an endless supply of pleasant and attractive hosts. The lofts were fun, full of contemporary design and mid-century homages, but the best thing by far was the rooftop common area. It was like the Standard, only better - and potentially privately owned. Roof top pool, plenty of lounging areas of different varieties, outdoor fire place, bar area, hot tub, and a row of curtained cabanas, all furnished including one, with a hanging bed. Needless to say, we hung out here for most of the night before Koop played.







Of course the show was spectacular, as mentioned before, with Hilda Louise making three costume changes during the performance - and while we would have left and gone home at this moment completely content, Jason Bently came on to the stage to announce that the party would continue in the warehouse - with an open bar. I suppose they over estimated the turnout for the wine tasting or something, but there seemed to be an endless supply of beer and wine. Turning the event into a topsy-turvey world in which the alcohol is free, but there was food for purchase. What a way to end an evening. What an amazing evening. So glad we didn't miss this one.

[CoasterMatt]

Sounds like lotta buncha fun.

[wolfy999]

Looks like you guys had a blast.....wish I was more "with it"!

[innerSpaceman]

OMG, best L.A. concert experience-o-rama EVER!


The surrealisticly Hollywood image views of Downtown L.A. Metropolis from the swankiest rooftop in heaven almost convinced me to buy a swinger's Loft in this godforsaken ex-warehouse area. If the 1980's prices on fabulous food, and freeflowing free beer and wine, and live bands accompanying a rooftop night of poolside swanking were to be regular features, I would live in a Loft in this nomansland in a minute.

What a fantastic night of completely chill brand fun.

[Isaac]

Can't talk..........afterglow.

[€uroMeinke]

I listened to Koop Islands yesterday and find I have Hilda Louise's vocals locked in my mind and I like them better - the CD sounds off to me, and now I prefer not listening to it, preferring the versions in my memory. Guess I need to hunt for a good live recording

[mousepod]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

I listened to Koop Islands yesterday and find I have Hilda Louise's vocals locked in my mind and I like them better - the CD sounds off to me, and now I prefer not listening to it, preferring the versions in my memory. Guess I need to hunt for a good live recording

Here's the stream from their KCRW session recorded in August with Hilde-Louise.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by mousepod

Here's the stream from their KCRW session recorded in August with Hilde-Louise.

You are my Hero - wonder if they podcasted that one

[mousepod]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

You are my Hero - wonder if they podcasted that one

I'll bet someone you know has a CD recorded from the over-the-air broadcast.