EKOOSTIK HOOKAH :: 12.31.05
PROMOWEST PAVILION :: COLUMBUS, OH
Words by Samantha Hanford :: Images by Scott Preston
Ed McGee :: ekoostik hookah
12.31.05 :: Columbus, OH |
Setlist predictions for ekoostik hookah's NYE show started particularly early this year, due to the unexpected events of 2005. In August, the band announced that it would be taking a break after their annual New Year's Eve gig, a devastating blow to those who have incorporated hookah's music and community into their lives for more than 14 years. Shortly thereafter, percussionist Johnny Polansky left the band, and speculation as to the future of ekoostik hookah ran rampant. And as if that weren't enough, in October guitarist and vocalist Ed McGee announced that NYE would be his last show with ekoostik hookah. New Year's Eve was suddenly going to mean more than the close of another year, but instead the end of an era. Talk about a momentous occasion.
ekoostik hookah
12.31.05 :: Columbus, OH |
Billed as three sets, the possibility of an opener was abandoned early, which is exactly what the true fans wanted - as much hookah as they could get in one night. Emotional from the start, an introduction to the evening was appropriately delivered by longtime fan, former employee, and devoted archivist Greg Frahn, aka "Dubba," who gave thanks to the band for their many years of hard work and entertainment.
The night was full of surprises, with a few old favorites to round it out. Drummer Eric Lanese broke out a guitar to showcase a new song, and typically silent guitarist Steve Sweney gave the crowd a thrill by belting out his sultry "Blues Forgotten" once more before the band's break. Bassist Cliff Starbuck snuck a few must-have covers into the evening with raging versions of Van Morrison's "Caravan" and Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Couldn't Stand the Weather," while a good number of McGee's songs like "Lady Vanilla," "Spiders," and "Sundial" saw the last light of day with ekoostik hookah.
ekoostik hookah :: 12.31.05 :: Columbus, OH |
During the first set, it was announced that in order to play longer, the band would instead play two long sets, taking the stage for set two just before the stroke of midnight. As the clock struck, a giant float with a larger-than-life Father Time and a huge glowing dragonfly crossed the stage, complete with dancing bead-throwers and a crazy mix of 'midnight' tunes featuring pieces of The Grateful Dead's "Midnight Hour," "Midnight Rider" by the Allmans, Jerry Garcia Band's "Midnight Town," and "Burning the Midnight Lamp" by Jimi Hendrix (to name a few). All of the midnight shenanigans were courtesy of well-known member of the scene "Tapecat."
ekoostik hookah
12.31.05 :: Columbus, OH |
Certain songs were a given for the last hookah show before a break, and particularly for the last show with Ed. The night wouldn't have been the same without "Dragonfly," a quick-paced and crowd-pleasing favorite played at nearly every Hookahville (all but one!) since the song's inception in 2001. Similarly, the inclusion of "Keepin' Time" was fitting as it represents the early days of ekoostik hookah and yet still gets the same warm reception every time it's played.
But what would Ed's last song be? And would that song end the show before the long break until Spring? That's what the fans wanted to know. The encore choices were fitting on all accounts: Ed led the guys in a mind-blowing rendition of "Through Hiker," a song about leaving to follow his dreams, perfectly appropriate as he prepared to pack up to devote more time to his up-and-coming new band, One Under. And to close this chapter of ekoostik hookah, the remaining members of the band reminded the crowd that they would be back by doing one last uplifting version of "Somewhere Down the Line." Rather than tears and sadness, it was a celebratory end to an emotional evening. Dave Katz made sure to leave the night on a high note by singing "You always know there'll be another show."
SETLIST
Set I:
Dan & Dubba Intro, Utopia, Lax, In the Clouds > Two Sometimes, Caravan, Thumper, Another You, Waterbear, Dragonfly, New Untitled Eric song > Keepin' Time, Anthony's Song, Lady Vanilla, Spiders
Set II:
Tapecat Father Time float > Auld Lang Syne > Slipjig Through the Poppy Fields, Fantastic,
Another Good Man Gone, Sundial, Couldn't Stand the Weather, Loner, Ohio Grown, Surround, Blues Forgotten
E: Through Hiker, Somewhere Down the Line
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