Photo by Sean Lieberman

Dear Chromeo,

I am sincerely sorry for what you were forced to endure on that fateful day of May 15, 2010. Everything looked to be in perfect order for the free music festival, but UCSB’s Extravaganza lacked something essential – class. I was appalled to see the way that attendees acted during your set as well as Edward Sharpe’s. People in the front of the stage were actually chanting “Drake” during songs like “Fancy Footwork” and “Needy Girl,” which would have had any other crowd sliding their feet and swinging their hips to the funky beats. This crowd stared blankly, barely moving at times, with some yelling Drake’s name, and others asking each other “who is Chromeo?”

In my experiences with live music, that isn’t a question that you are supposed to hear in the front row. I realized that someone from UCSB blew it. Although the attendance was the highest it has been in recent years, the vibe had taken a turn for the worst. Disrespectful fans, little kids who looked way too messed up, and even a stampede that broke through the security check at the door, overwhelming the few cops that stood there and running into the event. I hate to point fingers and place blame, but it’s all Drake’s fault. In reality, it’s more the fault of whoever booked him, but with Drake is where the problem lay regardless. His fan base is huge, with many loving him for his association with the larger than life Lil’ Wayne and his label Young Money Entertainment. His popularity transcends the rap world, however, with plenty of little girls wanting to see Jimmy Brooks, who was the character played by Drake in the teen-drama Degrassi: The Next Generation. Thanks to Jimmy Brooks, UCSB’s Harder Stadium was filled with people from all over California who had plenty of love for the upcoming rapper, but absolutely none for anyone else.

Edward Sharpe’s set was also marred by a less-than-ideal vibe from the crowd, as well as a few problems with the sound equipment. Lead singer Alex Ebert said something about the sub-par nature of the show before exiting the stage. Their set was short, but not as short as yours. I understand why you only played for a half hour, and I would have done the same had I been up there in front of thousands of disinterested people, some chanting another band’s name. “Fancy Footwork” “Bonafied Lovin’” and the new track “Night by Night” all sounded spectacular, but when I looked around to see that my girlfriend and I were the only ones with our hands in the air singing along, I knew that something was wrong with these people. With true showmanship, you guys kept smiles on your faces and kept trying to charm the audience, but to no avail. As soon as Drake took the stage, it was like an explosion of energy with everyone in the crowd screaming and jumping. A few songs into his set though, people began leaving in large numbers. These people weren’t music fans, they were just in the business of celebrity worship, and Drake is their shiny new idol. They didn’t know his music, they just knew his name. In hindsight, Extravaganza 2010 was a tremendous failure. It amounted to the wasted potential of great bands on an ungrateful audience, and for that I apologize to you, Chromeo.

Sincerely,

Todd Prodanovich