When I heard that Gogol Bordello was coming to Seattle I literally squealed with glee. I originally saw them in Tucson at the urging of my friend who is Russian. Russian Gypsy Punk, I thought, sure why not?
It only took one concert to get me hooked. There is something about their live shows that is almost unbelievable. Their music climbs and builds until you are jumping up in the air and shouting to every downbeat, hugging your neighbor and dancing as crazy as you possibly can. You come out of their concerts completely exhausted, a bit battered, deaf and hoarse, but with the feeling that the world is an excellent place to be living. I would highly recommend their concerts to anyone.
But I do have some words of advice for anyone who might go to see them:
1. Leave bottles of water in the car.
You’re going to be dehydrated afterwards and desperately thirsty (unless you gave up your spot to go buy the overpriced bar water).
2. If the venue is at all full and you don’t like getting up close and personal with your neighbor, don’t stand anywhere near the front.
Their crowds are energetic, insane, sweaty and (like concert crowds everywhere) eager to get as close to the stage as possible. Even before the concert started we were shoulder to shoulder and swaying back and forth as people tried to push their way forward. Once the show actually started it was less a mosh pit and more a can of sardines jumping up and down. Fun and crazy, but only if you’re in the mood for it.
3. Wear thick boots.
Pretty self-explanatory, given number 1. Mine have a three-inch heel so that I can actually see the stage.
4. Don’t wear a coat.
I don’t care how cold you are waiting in line. Unless the venue has a coat check you’re going to be absolutely miserable once the crowd packs in.
5. Don’t bring a bag.
The only thing worse than trying to stay on your feet in the middle of a crush is having to deal with a bag that keeps banging against you and everyone else, gets caught between surging crowds, or keeps threatening to plunge to the floor somewhere in the mess below you.
These could hold true for any high-energy no-seats concert, but they are especially true for Gogol Bordello. There are other things (wear your hair up, for god sakes wear deodorant, be careful with the jewelry, wear waterproof makeup, etc.) but these will contribute the most to your happiness.
One more thing, they attract a very cosmopolitan audience, especially Russian ex-pats. So strike up a conversation with your neighbor, they probably have a great story to tell!