By Lincoln McElwee
When a friend of mine introduced me to Geographer a few months back, I took it in stride that I would never get to see the indie-rock band live. That was until I found out about the J. Paul Getty Museum’s public program, called “Saturdays off the 405.” The popular program, introduces “undiscovered” bands for free at the Getty Center’s Los Angeles location.
“Saturdays off the 405” is such a unique experience in that it combines a concert vibe with the educational and spirited ambience of the historical Getty Museum. Like its other location – the Getty Villa in Malibu, California – the Getty’s Los Angeles center provides hours and hours of enjoyment by offering sculptures, paintings, gardens, and other forms of art, both visual and audio.
Indeed, more than two hours before the band was set to perform at the venue, the Getty parking lot was already filled with those interested in the museum and those, like myself, who were interested in seeing Geographer play. The off-site parking was just as amped, and there were droves of people walking, almost rushing, it seemed, to make it into the line for the Getty Museum’s shuttle, a free service that takes visitors up to the museum itself.
To this end, the Getty does inform those who wish to take part in the “Saturdays off the 405” experience to avoid the crowds by arriving early. By doing so, you can have a day of visiting galleries, checking out the new and rotating exhibits as well as enjoying a free concert.
I did manage to make it in a perfect amount of time to stake out the grounds and see where the best view of the stage would be. I noticed that there were many families with blankets, picnic baskets and children in tow. At the same time, there were various groups of young, old, trendy, and happy individuals. Children ran around while mothers talked and sipped drinks. Everyone, it seemed, was so excited and overjoyed to be out in the beautiful Southern California weather.
And what a storm it was! The stage lights greeted the crowd and the DJ, who plays both before and after the main performer, and in this case was DJ Mario Cotto, began pumping up the crowd.
After a while it was time for what we had all descended upon the Getty Museum for: the earth-shattering sounds of Geographer! And the band did not disappoint. From vocalist Michael Deni’s hauntingly breathtaking notes and fantastic stage presence to Nathan Blaz and Brian Ostreic’s ridiculously impressive use of the cello, drums and synthesizers, the band put on one of the most energetic and engaging shows that I’ve seen this summer.
The crowd swooned, clapped and danced enthusiastically to beat after beat and sound after edifying sound. With favorite songs being played, such as “Blinders” and “Kites,” the crowd would swell up and roar in approval; there were countless people, like myself, singing along with the lyrics, while others simply hummed or moved in time to the undeniable beauty of Geographer’s audible art, that overwhelming presence of words set to music and the countless meanings that these words must have held for many of those present that night.
When all was said and done, the concert was the perfect end to the night, and the perfect way to remind me of all the various activities that Southern California has to offer, activities that many people travel a long way just to take part in.
