Is it a coincidence that OK Go should be a part of the 14th Anniversary Celebration of Kennedy Center’s Millennium Theatre, a venue that presents a free performance every day of the year? It is more than coincidence at work if you believe in ground-breaking ideas turned to reality. Millennium Theatre was created in 1997 to feature a broad spectrum of performing arts every day to the public free of charge. The rock band OK Go was formed a year later in 1998 as a group of creative minds (and energetic constitutions) that was destined to be at the musical forefront.
In fact, making art is how the quartet’s founders, Damien Kulash and Tim Norwind, initially came together as friends.
| ONSTAGE |
| Millennium Stage 14th Anniversary Celebration with OK Go and Pomplamoose |
| » Where: Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW |
| » When: 6 p.m. Thursday |
| » Info: Free (standby line in the Hall of Nations), 800-444-1324 or 202-467-4600, kennedy-center.org |
“We met at a summer arts camp in northern Michigan and bonded over the fact that we both like to make things — art projects, theatrical endeavors, music, video,” Norwind recalled. “That was some 20 years ago and somehow we managed to make a career out of doing that.”
As a career that began with only five dollars and a camcorder, OK Go achieved what giant record companies were unable to do. They found a way to connect with fans and doing so, they changed the way these fans think about music and the Internet.
The band also features drummer Dan Konopka and keyboardist, Andy Ross. Although best known for their elaborate and quirky videos, (who hasn’t seen “Here It goes Again” featuring the now ubiquitous routine on treadmills?) OK Go makes fine music, which they plan on sharing with Millennium audiences.
Jack Conte and Nataly Dawn of, Pomplamoose will also perform. Fans will remember their viral covers on YouTube that garnered international fame for the duo, a record deal and a Hyundai commercial.
If it has been all about change in the pop music business with the arrival of the Internet, then Millennium Stage and groups like Pomplamoose and OK Go will likely slide toward the next thousand years.
“We’re redefining a niche for ourselves and OK Go, what it means to be in this band, and to be a band … period,” Norwind said.
