When the Robert Moses-built (and Works Progress Administration-funded) McCarren Pool -- tucked to the eastern corner of Brooklyn's McCarren Park-- ceased to be a pool in 1984, Sonic Youth was still scurrying about the scuzz of the Lower East Side, blasting out "Death Valley '69" at Danceteria and at Maxwell's. nearly twenty-five years on, things have changed. The decrepit pool grew weeds and housed junkies, Polish drunkards from neighboring Greenpoint, the homeless, and skaters, while Sonic Youth grew to become ageless purveyors of cool.
The Warriors-esque red-brick walled cement pit that is McCarren Pool re-opened three summers ago and instantly became a bastion for Brooklyn's emaciated and pasty fashionistas in the summer. Sunday afternoon free concerts from the likes of Blonde Redhead, TV on the Radio, and M.I.A. instantly achieved legendary status. Meanwhile, all around the pool and park, up went glimmering glass and steel luxury condos. Now, NYC's Landmarks Preservation Commission plans to restore this landmarked spot to all of its chlroniated glory by 2011, meaning: everyone out of the pool.
As is their status as godfathers of the alternative milieu, Sonic Youth have returned to soundtrack one last adult swim here, the last concert to be held here. For some curious reason, SY are now renowned for closing other venerated venues (such as Liberty Lunch down in Austin, Texas), not to mention saying Goodbye 20th Century. The band packed the walls last year as they recreated their much-feted masterwork, the double album Daydream Nation in its entirety. No doubt the band will have no such straitjackets tonight as they draw from their back catalog (maybe even all the way back to 1984) to bid adieu to summer and the driest pool of a generation. With Vivian Girls, Wolf Eyes, Times New Viking.
Saturday 8/30 @ McCarren Park Pool Lorimer Street & Bayard Avenue 4pm, All ages, $35
The Warriors-esque red-brick walled cement pit that is McCarren Pool re-opened three summers ago and instantly became a bastion for Brooklyn's emaciated and pasty fashionistas in the summer. Sunday afternoon free concerts from the likes of Blonde Redhead, TV on the Radio, and M.I.A. instantly achieved legendary status. Meanwhile, all around the pool and park, up went glimmering glass and steel luxury condos. Now, NYC's Landmarks Preservation Commission plans to restore this landmarked spot to all of its chlroniated glory by 2011, meaning: everyone out of the pool.
As is their status as godfathers of the alternative milieu, Sonic Youth have returned to soundtrack one last adult swim here, the last concert to be held here. For some curious reason, SY are now renowned for closing other venerated venues (such as Liberty Lunch down in Austin, Texas), not to mention saying Goodbye 20th Century. The band packed the walls last year as they recreated their much-feted masterwork, the double album Daydream Nation in its entirety. No doubt the band will have no such straitjackets tonight as they draw from their back catalog (maybe even all the way back to 1984) to bid adieu to summer and the driest pool of a generation. With Vivian Girls, Wolf Eyes, Times New Viking.
Saturday 8/30 @ McCarren Park Pool Lorimer Street & Bayard Avenue 4pm, All ages, $35
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