We took the 9 year old to Blue Man Group last night. He wanted to take his Nintendo DS because he was afraid he would be bored. We said no.

Excellent concert. BMG has been around since the 1980s, but our narrow view assumed it was just a percussion extravaganza. With an amazing back up band and two lead vocalists, their "How To Be A Megastar Tour 2.1" is a combination of strong acoustics, vocals, and funny satire on pop culture, plus the amazing signature sounds of three mute blue men. One of the funniest bits was when they lock the lead guitarist in a glass box and use smoke to slow him down from his self-indulgent, over-the-top guitar riffs. He comes out the other side a better man, and a better guitarist.

more after the flip.

They take some real jabs at the the whole indulgent rock star phenomenon through the device of a "how to be a megastar" manual that arrives via UPS to the Blue Man Group by way of an infomercial.

Some of the advice from the manual:

• Wear makeup to look more edgy and glamorous (cue 80s hairbands).
• Ask your audience the right questions to elicit enthusiastic responses, eg. “Are you ready to rock?” and “How’s everybody doing tonight?”
• When you make it big, pay tribute to the stars who came before you so you don’t come off like the egotistical ass you’ve really become.

Very family oriented, we thoroughly enjoyed it. Go Floppie the Banjo Clown. (a funny sub-theme you just have to experience).

From their about page: "“We want people to walk away feeling like the real magic of rock concerts comes from their tribal and communal elements as opposed to 'mega-stardom.'"

It did feel somewhat tribal/communal, and it was interesting to watch audience reaction/participation in the show.

Mike Relm's opening act was also a phenomenal mix of funny DJ/VJ turntablism. He doesn't just turntable music. He turntables videos of everyone from Jack Black and Led Zeppelin to Charlie Brown. To see it live in concert is really a unique multimedia show, with the DJ/VJ becoming part of the act on the big screen. Not sure all of the Knoxville audience got it, unfortunately. They were fairly subdued.

Here's a youtube Mike posted from one of his 2005 shows in Vancouver to give you a sample. What he does with the "o-face" bit from the movie Office Space is hilarious.

Oh, and the 9 year old? Loved the whole thing. Myli Cyrus, eat your megastar heart out.