Grizzly Bear‘s great year got even cooler last night, when Jay-Z and Beyonce showed up at the indie rockers’ free outdoor concert at New York City’s East River State Park. While I was too busy enjoying the show to notice music’s royal couple standing a few yards away at the time (or to read about it on Twitter), an enterprising attendee captured the moment with a fuzzy camera-phone snap that promptly made the rounds of every music blog ever.
Who turned Jay and B on to the Griz? Could have been Kanye West, or Beyonce’s sister Solange (who was reportedly also on the scene yesterday). Or maybe they were just there to rep Brooklyn. Regardless, as a huge fan of Grizzly Bear, Jay-Z, and Beyonce, I could not be more excited about this convergence. Can the Internet will a Jay-Z song featuring Ed Droste on the hook into existence — or, ooh, a Beyonce-Daniel Rossen duet — or a mixtape track where Jay spits over “Two Weeks”? Hey, stranger things have happened.
Oh, and the show? Fantastic, per usual. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Grizzly Bear rock so loud and hard. Openers Beach House were entrancing, too, playing lots of new material that boded well for their next album. Were any of you at the Williamsburg waterfront show last night? What do you make of Jay-Z and Beyonce’s cameo in the crowd?
UPDATE: Brooklyn Vegan has more pics, plus a short video clip of Jay-Z swaying to “Ready, Able.” Be still my heart!
More from EW’s Music Mix:
“I’m on a Boat” redux: The Lonely Island, U.S. Navy style
Soundgarden’s “Jesus Christ Pose”…as a gospel song? Only on EW.com!
Buju Banton’s U.S. tour canceled by promoters
Steely Dan live in L.A.
Photo credit: Jay-Z & Beyonce: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
It was interesting but expected, Solange has been hanging in Williamsburg recently with Terrible records founder Ethan(chris Taylor’s label & business partner) I think she trying to get them(chris Taylor) to produce something for
her. We were ready for them to get on stage for a mashup. It was quite strange, especially with the security & camera detail.
just be glad mr. doobie mcdonald was not in sight. filed.
DJ Red-Cent – Jay Z vs. Grizzly Bear: http://bit.ly/Vwqxa
i was there….i dont recall seeing them
I was there, concert was ace… didnt see these two but i didnt get to far in the crowd eiter and it looks like they were pretty close to the stage.
jay-z worked with 9th wonder. he and e. jones worked with mr. doobie mcdonald on peekaboo. beware. filed. noted.
Jay z beyonce grizzly bear.. Keen