LMFAO

Pink at the Hollywood Palladium with. LMFAO, and Far East Movement.

I’ll admit that while I have heard of the group’s name apart from what it means in texting lingo, LMFAO’s music did not come into my conscience until I recently saw and heard Me and the Captain and A Static Lullaby rock a cover of one of the group’s hits, Party Rock Anthem.

By the powers of Youtube, I was able to check out LMFAO and Far East Movement videos in anticipation to their show on Saturday October 29, at the Hollywood Palladium. From what I saw and heard, I got the sense that it was going to be a really interesting night, and not lacking in the entertainment department. A Halloween-themed weekend in Hollywood is one thing. To see these guys in action would be another, if not icing on a funfetti cake.

Throughout the venue grounds, there was no doubt of the underlying theme of the night apart from the show‘s singular moniker. Out front, loads of costumed fans were given the opportunity to walk a pink carpet area to pose for photos, then leave their pink marks on a Sharpie signing board before moving towards the venue‘s security and into the Palladium. Hosted by 97.1 AMP Radio, the pink commemorates Cancer Awareness Month. A portion of the proceeds of the show goes to the Stand Up 2 Cancer charity. Among the decked-out were a smattering of afro-wigged/LMFAO doppelgangers of various shapes and sizes, and pink tutus. Some coordinated in groups. There was the Village People, and the Smurfs. With a costume contest boasting a $10,000 prize, the manner of dress was a free for all…

Inside, dimmed warm lights allowed patrons to find their ways along the vast hallways. Upon entering the main room, a mirror ball reflected a dizzying array of pink and fuchsia spots across the floors and ceiling, chased by beams of white and yellow lights. A network of pink balloons hung overhead. DJ Kryptonite warmed up the all-ages crowd or as it seemed, Bugs Bunny and Jack (from the fast food chain, Jack in the Box) took turns at the helm. Likely due to heavy volume, the first rounds of the costume contest was to take place after the DJ set, but it was moved towards midnight.

Far East Movement opened their set with an intro fit for a haunted house with a soundtrack punctuated with a woman‘s screams. Though the stage was simple in skull props and a foggy bucket, it made for a nice little shop of horrors. Though I later agreed with a friendly photographer that the group was not easy to capture, I found it rather enjoyable chasing after the guys as they energetically bounced from one end of the stage to the other in their butcher costumes. The set included “murdered” blowup dolls that were eventually thrown into the crowd, and killer pigs aiding in a staged murder. Add in fog sprays, and the firing of confetti into the crowd, and you’ve got yourself some good Halloween fun. Among the notables were “Like a G6”, “Jello”, and “Go Ape”. The group ended with “Rocketeer”, encouraging the crowd to follow their dreams. Long before the end of the set, the room had filled up. To say that it was entertaining is to say the least. The near-capacity crowd was bobbing and dancing along until the end.

During the intermission, the DJs opened up with a gratuitous snippet of Thriller before launching into a new set, keeping the party atmosphere going. Bundles of glow necklaces and bracelets were thrown out into the crowd. While awaiting LMFAO, I couldn’t help but wonder of the numerous cans of Red Bull, and bottles of various drinks lining the table towards the back of the stage. Was it all necessary? I also mused that any of us would be unlucky if any of the drinks were to be opened and thrown within the allotted 3 songs in the pit…

The crowd erupted as Hulk Hogan and Macho Man/Randy Savage, or RedFoo and SkyBlue of LMFAO, stepped out with their motley bunch of wrestlers and broke into “Sorry For Party Rocking”. It was beautiful chaos with wrestlers big and small, dancing, and running amok. Then there was this blown up zebra… I was equally amused at how RedFoo and SkyBlue stayed in character, mimicking the wrestlers’ signature moves. The night was one huge Halloween dance party with many concert-goers shuffling along the outskirts of a packed house. LMFAO strutted and powered through the set with “Shots”, “Get Crazy”, “I’m in Miami Bitch”, and “Party Rock Anthem” with blasts of confetti, more fog, and the dropping of the pink balloons. The champagne bottles were brought out for “Champagne Showers”. By then, I had already figured that the duo and crew were going to put the bottles to use, apart from staying quenched throughout the raucousness (All those hip gyrations!). The crowd up front got sprayed with the bubbly as Hulk Hogan and Macho Man aka RedFoo and SkyBlue, took the lyrics for another meaning. The fans were going to get wet, well at least the ones in the first few rows. After a brief break, LMFAO capped off the show with the fun “Sexy and I Know It”.

The costume contest was to be judged according to crowd applause. The participants were brought onto the stage for viewing, and then eventually whittled down to the finalists. A number of them entered as a duo. Among them was a big headed Rocky Balboa/Mr. T, a shy Edward Scissorhands, Meat Dress Lady Gaga/Joe Calderone, Tapatio Man, a black widow and her webbed prey, Shrek and Fiona, green toy soldier, and zombie Katie Perry/Russel Brand. Crowd applause helped to pair the bunch to the final three: green toy soldier, Tapatio Man, and Shrek/Fiona. The final two became a close one between the soldier, and the Tapatio Man. Winner of the $10,000 prize?… Green toy soldier. Well deserved for a great looking costume. He really did look like a shiny life-sized toy when striking a pose.

To sum up the night, I would go as far as to surmise that it was perhaps among the best of Halloween shows the weekend had to offer, made better for the fact that it would go towards the benefit of breast cancer. Think pink. . . Now to get that visual of the pant less (only speedo-ed) Superman out of my head. . .