Beastie Boys Still Know How To Deliver What’cha Want
August 21, 2007 - Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
OMG — the Beastie Boys, my favorite group of all time. Last night’s instrumental show at the Wiltern was INCREDIBLE. They funked the sh– outta that place. The crowd was groovin’, the Boys were movin’, and I saw it all from the front (gotta thank my friend Courtney from Live Nation for that one).
Now, don’t let the “instrumental” fool you, there were microphones onstage. And that meant some completely changed-up classics like “Root Down” and “Sure Shot.” This was probably my sixth time seeing the Beasties, and they played songs I’ve never heard them play before. I think they almost played the entirety of Check Your Head — my favorite album. When I heard “So What’cha Want” I went bat crazy, I couldn’t believe it! Plus they played my favorite instrumentals from that album, like “Pow” and “Live at P.J.’s”
Since it was billed as a “gala event,” the B Boys were dressed in their Sunday best, backed by Mix Master on the ones and twos, Alfredo Ortiz on percussion and Money Mark on the keys. You know the Beasties are getting live when Money Mark is hoppin’ around stage like a madman. That guy’s got so much energy, it’s a blast to watch him get down.
Every time I see them I think it’s the last time I’m gonna get to see them, so every show is my favorite — but last night’s show I think was the best ever. Well, until I see them again 
But the show was so different from the others I’ve seen. The instrumentals were just a blast to groove to, and I absolutely loved how they changed up their regular songs, like when they came back for the encore with “Sure Shot” — it took me a minute to realize what song they were actually playing until I recognized the lyrics.
And right after “Sure Shot” when Ad-Rock strapped on his guitar, MCA picked up his bass, and Mike D sat behind the kit I knew exactly what was about to go down — “Sabotage!” I cannot describe how crazy we all got, but it felt like I got off a roller coaster after the show ended.
What an amazing night. I’m gonna remember this one forever.
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:51 pm
We’ve been to countless concerts over the years and last night at the Wiltern the B-Boys tore it up. They brought killer sound. I was in the mezzanine and the whole upper was flexing dramatically during “Sabotage”. There has to be structural damage to that place after that show. Killer set list and the sound was unbelievable! The ghosts of that old theater were shakin their asses.