John Carpenter Live!

 Tonight, I saw the John Carpenter live at the Knockdown Center in Queens, and I honestly don’t know how to put into words what that felt like. The venue really set the tone. The Knockdown Center is basically a massive industrial warehouse, raw and spacious, with high ceilings and exposed beams. I have to say it felt eerie, especially with the glowing red overhead lights that gave me major Carpenter vibes. 

When Carpenter finally walked out, he raised both hands and threw up the double horns. It made me smile from ear to ear. Not because it was silly, but because it was so genuinely him. It was perfect. You can just tell he still loves this. He’s not going through the motions, not doing this out of obligation or legacy. He’s clearly still having fun, still passionate, still making music that he wants to make. After all these years, that’s the thing that really stuck with me, how much joy he still gets from doing what he does. That’s what I love seeing in people, when they’re still lit up by the things they’ve always loved.

The man is a legend. I’ve watched his films more times than I can count, but hearing those scores live just hit differently. The music itself was incredible. His son Cody and Daniel Davies were with him, and the three of them were locked in. They played all the big ones… Halloween, The Fog, Escape from New York, Christine, They Live. Carpenter also played some cool tracks from his Lost Themes albums. The Halloween theme? It hit me so strongly. If you don’t already know (though you really should), Halloween is my favorite horror film of all time, and its score is easily my favorite movie score, period. No other horror film has ever had a more perfect soundtrack. It sets the mood for the entire movie and heightens every terrifying moment.

“Laurie’s Theme” is hauntingly beautiful, while those piercing synths during “The Shape Lurks” sequence still give me anxiety no matter how many times I’ve watched Michael chase Laurie through the night. Even knowing exactly how it ends, it’s just as effective every single time. It still gives me chills. Hearing the Halloween theme live almost made me cry. It didn’t matter that I could barely see the stage… I could feel the music. What a perfect October moment.

And yeah… being in general admission as a short person? It sucks. And when I say short, I’m talking under 5 feet short. I felt boxed in almost the whole time. Couldn’t see over anyone, constantly trying to peek between shoulders, fighting off that creeping claustrophobia. I was definitely trying to keep it together. I hate the feeling of everyone towering over me. Honestly, I think I spent half the show balancing on my toes. Next time: I need platforms, and I should probably show up earlier to grab a better spot (even though we were pretty close as is). It’s hard to stay fully present when your view is 90% backs of heads, but even so… I was there. I did see him. Even if it was difficult, I’m glad I stuck it out.

Despite the crowd stress, it was one of those rare nights that reminded me why I love music, film, and horror so much. Carpenter still has it. Totally worth it. I was truly manifesting this. I know that’s all I do, but it’s the only thing keeping me together. John Carpenter hasn’t played in NYC since 2018, and I was truly hoping it would happen again. And it did!

Right now, I’m manifesting a solo Jonathan Davis tour where he performs my favorite songs from Queen of the Damned and “Basic Needs” from his solo album, Black Labrinyth. Wish me luck! LOL.

Set List:

***Prologue - Escape From New York***

1. Over the Wall (Escape From New York)
2. Escape from New York: Main Title
3. Wake Up (They Live)
4. Pork Chop Express (Big Trouble in Little China)
5. The Alley (Big Trouble in Little China)
6. Vortex (Lost Themes)
7. Walk to the Lighthouse (The Fog)
8. The Fog: Main Title Theme
9. My Name is Death (Lost Themes IV: Noir)
10. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
11. Halloween Theme - Main Title
12. Last Rites (Lost Themes IV: Noir)
13. In the Mouth of Madness

Encore:

14. Lord of the Underground

15. Alive After Death (Lost Themes III: Alive After Death)

16. Distant Dream (Lost Themes II)

17. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)