DETROIT - At St. Andrews Hall, emo kids got a chance to test out new communication and musical products while grooving to the mellow tunes of John Lennon-like guitarist Elliot Smith and the futuristic sounds of rock band Grandaddy.
Sponsored by Rolling Stone Live, the already high-tech audience members, most of whom clipped pagers and cell phones to their clothes, entered two raffle contests, hoping for a chance to win a Philips Electronics MP3 player or the new Motorola/Skytel pager.
Different in design and technology, the new Philips Electronics MP3 player has a square shape, unlike the rounded MP3 players of the past. The palm-size audio player has a larger screen and the capability to hold up to two hours of music in its memory.
Taking paging to another level is Motorola/Skytel. The pager is compact and equipped with e-mail messaging.
“I really like the MP3 player; they don’t skip, and they’re a lot easier to deal with than CDs,” audience member Ryan Cheney said.
Opening for Smith was Grandaddy, which just released its fourth album, “The Sophware Slump.”
With a band performing downstairs in “The Shelter,” Grandaddy had a hard time drowning it out. But this five-member band’s futuristic sound incorporates heavily synthesized vocals, pianos and loud guitar riffs to create a sound that struck a chord with the audience.
“They were a little too repetitive, but their sound was good,” said audience member Ashleigh Charles.
Although many concert-goers enjoyed the booths and Grandaddy, audience members couldn’t wait for Smith to perform.
“I hope he hurries up; I’ve been waiting for a long time,” Charles said.
When Smith took the stage, silence swept through the crowd members, many of whom were sporting Motorola glow sticks around their necks and wrists.
Randy Herkowitz and Tricia Thompson, Smith fans for only a year, enjoyed the show.
“He sings sad love songs that are a little depressing, he’s very Beatle-esque,” Herkowitz said.
Having recently released his sixth album, “Figure 8,” Smith wasted no time, opening with “Needle in the Hay.” The audience went wild, dancing and screaming.
Smith’s face was projected on an approximately 10-foot screen, giving fans in the rear a chance to see his movements and emotions.
Smith performed nearly 20 songs. The audience swayed to each pluck of Smith’s guitar, singing along with the songs and never missing a beat.
Besides the occasional audience member ducking into a corner to make a call on a cell phone and the clashing of beer bottles in recycling bins, Smith’s music prevailed.
“The concert was great. I was a fan, but I’m a really big fan now,” Thompson said.
