Free Milkshake Concert and Giveaway

Dec 3 2008

Jodi's blog

By Jodi

My son, Roan, has reached the age of forced ambivalence. I didn’t see it coming, at age four, yet here it is. When I asked him on Sunday to accompany me to a concert by the band Milkshake, he acted cavalier and stipulated that his cousin, Boone had to go as well. I invited Boone, nine years old, who is the king of cavalier. I think his mother threatened or bribed because he eventually was on board. I mention this because I did not expect these boys to dance, sing or frolic during the concert. I was wrong.

Milkshake describes itself as “A band on a mission: to create great rock music for kids”.They have absolutely succeeded in that mission. Their music immediately has a foot-stomping and fist-pumping effect on the crowd. But what sets them apart from every talented band that I have seen marketed towards children is that they put on a show.

Clearly they understand that a great tune takes you only so far with the limited attention span of a child (and most adults). So each song has a performance hook during their set. They wear capes, they don granny and gramps wigs, they throw out inflatable balls to the crowd (the invitation to throw the balls onto the stage got my boys off their seats and onto the floor, where they stayed for the rest of the show). Most importantly, Milkshake connects with their audience with great songs and keeps them engaged with theatrics and loads of confetti. Also worth mentioning, and I don’t know if this is a credit to Milkshake or to the Highline Ballroom, the sound was at a volume that didn’t have me cringing in worry for my son’s hearing. It was loud but not obnoxious, a balance that I have not found to be the case at most concerts.

Milkshake has a new DVD entitled “Screen Play” which was showing in the background. I recommend it to anyone who loves to listen to good tunes with their kid. And if you have the chance to catch these musicians live, do it. Even Captain Ambivalence and Commander Cavalier couldn’t help but enjoy the show, though I suspect they each had a confetti hangover after.

The Milkshake Band is giving a free holiday performance at the Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Center this Saturday, December 6, 2008.

1972 Broadway@66th Street
212.595.9340 for info
Show starts at 1:00 p.m.

In addition to the free show, you can win this great gift basket with a copy of the Screen Play DVD, three Milkshake CDs, a T-Shirt and big inflatable ball.

Because we're fools for rocking out, the winner will also win a pair of insound baby ear muffs. Designed to protect little ears from loud music and adult concerts, I realized these could also be used in the NYC subways and streets to protect babies from noise pollution.