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Photos: Amanda Palmer Performs For The Occupy Wall Street Protesters

When we found out that Amanda Palmer (of Dresden Dolls and Evelyn Evelyn fame) was going to do one of her "ninja gigs" at Occupy Wall Street yesterday, we grabbed the camera crew and headed to Zuccotti Park. We'll have video of the full performance shortly (some audience footage below), but in the meantime, check out some photos, and here's what Amanda told us about the experience:

If I'm going to bring a bunch of people together, this is the perfect place to do it, just to spread awareness of what's happening here. Because I bet you a lot of the people here are New Yorkers who knew this was happening, but hadn't taken the time out of their lives to come here yet and check out what is actually going on. So hopefully this isn't a kind of one time event—where people wander in and see me, then wander out—but people actually stay and it spreads the awareness of what people are doing here. That was the goal in Boston, too.

Palmer, who's from Boston, had previously done the same thing at the Occupy movement going on there. Suri Ratnatunga was on the scene for Gothamist yesterday, and reports back:

Palmer made ample use of the "people's mic" to introduce her songs. In addition to some very entertaining material of her own -- a rewrite of Rebecca Black's viral hit "Friday" from the point of view of a truck stop hooker and an ode to the ukelele with lyrics that were crowd-sourced from twitter -- she did a cover of Neutral Milk Hotel's "Two Headed Boy" in honor of Jeff Magnum's performance last week and an apt rendition of John Lennon's "Working Class Hero" with New York native Sxip Shirey on guitar.

Later today, Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello will be performing for the protesters, and previously we headed down there with former Shudder to Think frontman Craig Wedren, who spent his time there talking to those occupying the park.

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Comments [rss]

  • BrooklynDnB

    Who?

    Nevermind read who she is but still saying.....who?

  • sluggita

    I just love her. What a gal. Well over 30, and of course I know who she is. anyone not totally mired in MOR music probably does.

  • Jessica Jones

    Two things. Why is she not undressing? And... Why can't either one of them tune that fucking guitar!

  • Who?

  • ixvnyc

    Go back to watching American Idol. Nothing for you to see here.

  • What an attention whore who is seeking to profit. Fuckin hypocrite. She's a no-name musician who probably feels cheated she isn't famous. What an entitled moron.

  • So just because she's a musician automatically means she can't sympathize with the cause? Nobody here insulting her knows anything about her life or motives, you don't know what kind of person she is. At least she's out doing her part and trying to help out any way she knows how. I wasn't aware that this protest was closed to certain people just because of their occupation. 

  • I just think its hypocritical. You make music for a living which is ENTERTAINMENT. Get a real job if you want to complain. Anybody is allowed there it's their right as long as they behave. It's comes off as such a publicity stunt though. And you're right I don't know her or her life but I stand by my point. Thank you for at least making an argument unlike the person above who feels it is their right to scold me for my language which in reality is free speech.

  • ixvnyc

    Sounds like you have some issues of your own?

  • Please explain what you mean. I don't want to be famous. I just want to be left alone and keep what I earn. It really is that simple.

  • ixvnyc

    Well, for one thing, you really shouldn't use such a harsh language. It may be forgiven in the heat of an argument, but it's not like Amanda started it first. It's also not like Amanda is rich and famous and should just take it. She may not have a name, but she sure has the talent. Take a look at some Dresden Dolls videos. Maybe you don't like her music, but seriously, does she even look like someone who is trying to sell out? In all, calling someone like Amanda Palmer "an entitled moron" doesn't make any sense. Entitled to what? She has created an astonishing amount of great music, for which she certainly hasn't gotten overpaid for. So how exactly is she "entitled"? 

  • In case you don't know music is ENTERTAINMENT. It's not going to solve any problems, maybe distract from them temporarily. She's lucky she doesn't have to work a real job for a living. A musician that has been able to make a living off of music should not be complaining. That's where the entitlement come in.

    As far as my language I will FUCKIN say what the FUCK I want no matter how many CUNTS I offend. These are words so grow up.

  • ixvnyc

    You are an idiot. That's the word for you. 

  • I argued for my point you just called me a name. At least try to put together an argument about what I said in my post.

  • ixvnyc

    Your language has offended me. You certainly have the right to use it, but it comes at a price of being called names and not being responded to with arguments. 

  • You didn't respond because you know I'm right. I didn't call you a name. I called Amy Palmer names.

  • ixvnyc

    "c-word" (same way as "n-word") doesn't have to be used on me personally to upset me. It hurts and offends an entire demographic of people, and is therefore damaging to everyone. I don't want to have anything to do with people who use it, as I don't want to give that kind of a damaging behavior a pass. 

  • Cunt is not the same as the "n-word." It's a body part. You still know I'm right because you refuse to argue my point.

  • ixvnyc

    A body part? Were we discussing anatomy? Do you think I am an imbecile? Fuck off!

  • Yes I think you are an imbecile. The n-word represents an entire group of people. Cunt represents a small faction of women.

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