After 33 years together, ESG (Emerald, Sapphire and Gold) are breaking up. They released an album called Closure back in March. I discovered the band thanks to a former co-worker giving me this album for Christmas a few years ago. I became obsessed with it. I listened to it practically daily and sent her an effusive e-mail telling her how much I loved the music and was really surprised that I hadn’t heard the band before. If I recall correctly, I listened to “UFO” on repeat and realized that it had been sampled on so many hip hop songs (and one by LL Cool J that was previously unreleased and found behind a radiator) that I grew up listening to.
When I heard the band was playing one final show in New York, I jumped at the chance to attend. Even though it meant that it was starting at a late time (doors were originally billed as opening at 11PM and that usually deters me from going), I realized I would regret missing the show so I took the following day off work. ESG’s headlining set time was changed to 11PM (thankfully) so I got home at a somewhat reasonable hour (before 2AM!). Brooklyn’s Ava Luna was the opening act, who I hadn’t seen perform live in ages, and they were wonderful. Just a fantastic experience all around.
Additional images are on Flickr and Impose Magazine. If you’re curious about ESG’s setlist, that’s on Impose as well.
