The Roots: Drum Offs, Broken Sun Glasses & Tantrums Live In Reno, NV

via Metromix Reno

The first big show at the Knitting Factory (Friday January 1, 2010) seemed for a while ready to end abruptly, as the Root's MC Black Thought expressed anger at his monitor mix, ear buds and a broken pair of sunglasses.

Black Thought wore said sunglasses when he took the stage, giving some credibility to people I had mocked for wearing shades indoors at the venue. Early on, his headphones refused to stay in, leading to a few pairs being hurled angrily to the ground. In between songs, f-word-laced orders to the sound guys sought a mix where he could hear his own vocals — a reasonable request to be sure, but it painted a discordant picture.

Then, after a raucous number where guitarist, sousaphonist and bassist all jumped around the stage, Black Thought discovered his $500 pair of sunglasses (set down next to the drum kit) had been smashed. He angrily confronted his own band members about who had done this, seeming to direct much of his accusing fury at guitarist "Captain" Kirk Douglas. He made it very clear he was "not f---ing playing," and this apparently was the second night in a row that he'd lost a pair.

It seemed very possible when he left the stage during the drums duet that things might end early. But then there was this kid. When Black Thought came back out, gamely delivering as he had all night, he started to laugh.

He said he was trying hard to stay upset, but a young boy in the front row, who looked about 6, kept putting him in a better mood.

And so there was a happy ending for all: The band went on to play two quality hours and that kid got to be on stage, dance like a maniac and receive rapturous applause. Questlove agreed with Black Thought that this was the craziest show they had done — and for the Roots, that'd certainly be saying something.

As reported by Victor Calderon at the Reno Gazette-Journal

The Roots entertained a packed house Friday in the grand opening of the brand-new Knitting Factory in downtown Reno.

They began their two-hour set with "Thought at Work," their latest single "How I Got Over" and "Here I Come," the theme for "Late Night." Every song showcased the rapid-fire flow of rapper Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter.



At one point, a drum-off ensued between bandleader Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson and another drummer (Knuckles) on stage. Also given solos during the show were guitarist Kirk "Captain Kirk" Douglas, bassist Owen Biddle and sousaphone player Damon "Tuba Gooding Jr." Bryson.

Towards the end of the set, The Roots performed their breakthrough single "You Got Me," originally released with vocals by R&B singer Erykah Badu and rapper Eve.

The Roots also squeezed in covers of "Sweet Child of Mine" by Guns N' Roses and "Jungle Boogie" by Kool & The Gang.

The Roots crew wrapped up the show with an encore where they invited a young fan wearing a Golden State Warriors basketball jersey on the stage where he danced and jumped around much to the band's and the crowd's delight.

The Roots set list:

"Thought at Work"
"How I Got Over"
"Here I Come"
"Game Theory"
"Star"
"Respond/React"
"Proceed"
"Quills"
"The Realm"
"Mellow My Man"
"Criminal"
"You Got Me"
"Get Busy"
"Next Movement"
(Encore)
"Seed"
"Men at Work"

(video courtesy of 333lorelei)