Holiday Extravaganza | Photographer: Alyssa Scheinson

Holiday Extravaganza Review
‘Tis the Season to Hear Great Bands

Samantha Amazan

Matt Pinfield, a.k.a Uncle Festivus, hosted the Holiday Extravaganza - an enchanted night of commendable bands, good beer, and fun to commemorate the upcoming holiday season. With the idea of Christmas in the air, the crowd was sprinkled with Santa hats and reindeer antlers. Even a Santa oddly resembling Dan Aykroyd from Trading Places showed up to spread some good ol' holiday cheer to the concert goers. Being that it was the night of the famous Rockefeller tree lighting in the plaza, Pinfield took it upon himself to not be upstaged, holding a grandiose lighting of two miniature trees on either side of the stage.

The show kicked off with Manchester Orchestra and their hypnotizing drum melodies that caused a few listeners to break out in a head bang. The crowd didn't warm up until after their second song, but by the end of their set, the crowd was jumping on their feet. Andy Hull, the front man of Manchester Orchestra, had a strong voice and a great band to back him.

Jack's Mannequin followed, with an upbeat, feel good set that complimented Manchester Orchestra's dark beats. By now, the crowd was ready to dance, and Jack's Mannequin delivered, with a high energy stage presence and upbeat songs. The crowd responded immediately, thanks to front man Andrew McMahon’s breaking away from his piano to engage them, coupled with a little jig on top of his piano for good measure.

Passion Pit, the last of the opening acts, was up next, and clearly a crowd favorite. Everyone was on their feet to move to the band's cheery dance music rhythms. Song after song, fans belted out lyrics with singer Michael Angelakos.

After a short intermission, the headliner, Phoenix, graced the stage. At first the crowd was restless for them to play, but they quickly went bananas and were on their feet after the first guitar riff of Lisztomania. Thomas Mars mesmerized the concert goers with his melodic voice as the rest of the band kept them dancing and moving with their up-tempo beats. All in all, the mixed crowd of old and young seemed to really enjoy all the bands that preformed. It’s safe to say Matt Pinfield’s Holiday Extravaganza was a quality show with great bands. And that’s not the beer talking.

Holiday Extravaganza Set-list

Hammerstein | 12/2/09

Phoenix Set-List
Lisztomania
Long Distance Call
Lasso
Fences
If I Ever Feel Better
GirlFriend
Love Like A Sunset
Too Young
Consolation Prizes
Rome (Short)
1901
Passion Pit
Set-List
Make Light
I've Got Your Number
Let Your Love Grow Tall
Little Secrets
To Kingdom Come
Moths Wings
Sleepyhead
Smile Upon You
The Reeling
*Thanks Krystal*
Jack's Mannequin
Set-List
Bruised
La La Lie
Kill The Messenger
The Resolution
The Mixed Tape
Swim
Spinning
Dark Blue
Bloodshot
*Thanks Jess*

Manchester Orchestra
Set-List
Pride
I've Got Friends
Shake It Out
Everything to Nothing
The River

Holiday Extravaganza | Photographer: Jennifer Diaz

ABOUT THE SHOW

A full year after his harrowing travels with the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, Ebenezer Scrooge remains a changed man, grasping tight to his newfound ideals of generosity and compassion. These days, Scrooge has gained not only the reputation of an individual who cherishes the Holiday Spirit, but as one who embodies it.

As we re-join Ebenezer Scrooge, we find him struggling with the pressures associated with his new condition. Aware that the happiness of many falls on his shoulders, Ebenezer is determined to find a simple, yet effective way to deliver. Failure is not an option. Then, late one night, it suddenly dawns on him: A Holiday concert. With an unmatched knowledge of, and love for, indie rock, Ebenezer Scrooge puts together a show for the ages.

Directed by Tony Award winner Chase McHuan (Model-T Mischief; M Theory, the Musical), Ebenezer Scrooge Presents: Matt Pinfield’s Holiday Extravaganza promises to be the emotional thrill-ride of the holiday season, delivering a gut-wrenching blow to the soul while teaching us what it really means to be human.

Starring Matt Pinfield as Ebenezer Scrooge and Leslie Fram as Tiny Tim, Matt Pinfield’s Holiday Extravaganza features the music of Phoenix, Passion Pit, Jack’s Mannequin, and Manchester Orchestra, and has been labeled the “don’t miss” event of 2009. The New York Post calls Matt Pinfield’s Holiday Extravaganza “Extravagant,” while Time magazine states that “Ebenezer Scrooge has found a way to bottle joy, and on top of that, he’s made the most potent formula the world has ever seen.”

This One Night Only event is happening Wednesday, December 2nd, at the Manhattan Center’s Hammerstein Ballroom.

	PHOENIX While it's true that you have to wait for inspiration to strike, there’s comfort in knowing it will inevitably arise, even if you have to look all over the globe for it before you find it—or so goes the logic behind the epic recording process of Phoenix's new studio album. ... Click here for more
	PASSION PIT Redemption. Paranoia. Guilt. And brief glimpses of a better tomorrow, all cloaked in pop hooks that truly help the medicine go down. What is this? Another lost LP from Brian Wilson’s sandbox phase? If only things were that simple. What we’re really alluding to here is Passion Pit’s first... Click here for more
	JACKS MANNEQUIN “My past is my past and a lot of The Glass Passenger is about that,” says Jack’s Mannequin frontman Andrew McMahon, “but it’s also about trying to write myself out of it. This is a record about trying to get out from underneath something. I want people to receive the music for what it is and not have to contextualize it against my own personal battle.” Click here for more
	MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA Mean Everything To Nothing, the second album from Atlanta’s Manchester Orchestra, is everything you want a rock record to be: raw, urgent, emotional, and 100 percent authentic. “There is nothing fake about this record,” says frontman and lyricist Andy Hull. “There’s not one fake sound on it. We recorded it live because we wanted it to sound like a band, and I think it does: live and loud!” Click here for more