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Nicole Atkins Kicks Off JFK Airport Terminal Concert Series

In an effort to bring live music to passengers awaiting flights, Jet Blue kicked off a concert series last Friday at their JFK International Aiport Terminal 5, nabbing New Jersey-bred musician Nicole Atkins for the first show. While Atkins recalls playing some odd gigs in her time -- from an Irish Pub that sold sushi to a private party held at a fine restaurant in Shreveport, La., where she and her band did all Black Sabbath covers -- but playing an airport ranked right up there as far as weird places she's done. "Sometimes I feel like we're Flight of the Conchords," she tells Spinner, laughing. "We played [New York's] Irving Plaza a couple weeks before and it was sold out, but I was way more nervous to do this. It takes you out of your element completely."

The stage setup is right past the security gates and isn't very big, forcing Atkins to pare down her band to just her and her drummer before they treated passengers to two 30-minute sets of both old and new material. "It's very futuristic," she says of the space. "The reverb was amazing."

At this point, Atkins is used to playing for people who actually know who she is -- thus the airport gig was a mild nod to her days where she logged numerous hours at open mics. But it's not like everyone who caught her sets was oblivious to who she was. "I guess it was a good way for people to kill time," she says. " A couple people came up and were like 'I was just listening to you on my iPod, this is really weird.'"

Jet Blue's Live at Terminal 5 series will continue throughout the rest of the year, with Justin Townes Earle, Alberta Cross and American Princes scheduled so far.

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YOUNGBLOOD

why when you do it in the subway, its called "begging"?

July 13 2009 at 1:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
norristhompson1

Oh, as a reply to myself, I first noticed Nicole Atkins when she did a commercial for American Express where she was shown performing one of her songs. That's how I first noticed her. And then I saw her performance on "Late night with Conan O'Brien".

July 13 2009 at 1:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
norristhompson1

I know who Nicole Atkins is. I saw her perform on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" show a year or two ago. I liked her performance so much that I went out and bought her cd. I don't remember the name of the cd but I do have it. I promise you it is Nicole Atkins' cd.

July 13 2009 at 1:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
midspnsr18

This is a wonderful idea but not new - at all...After 9/11, one of the Washington area airports had a major performing arts and entertainment program, as the lines were longer than usual. From celebrity lookalikes to classical violinists to football team mascots to mariachi groups and flamenco dancers to professional dancers who gave "lessons" to waiting travelers to Broadway show casts - whatever "worked." This innovative program, made up of professionals and amateurs, was heavily covered in the media: Time Magazine, Business Week, "Good Morning America', the Washington Post, even the "Tonight Show."

The goal was simple: entertain and relax the travelers during a stressful and difficult time. It worked as passengers began to look forward to "who they would have at the airport today." And, it put smiles on the faces of people who otherwise would have been unhappy with the long lines.

July 13 2009 at 1:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tori

That's not new, CNTO/Ms. P has been having people peforming at Cleveland Hopkins for years. From Jon.Be to the Men at Large.

July 13 2009 at 12:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
voxxxlane

I think it's great that a performing artist is willing to take on an assignment like this! Shows that Ms. Atkins really loves what she does and doesn't discriminate as to whom she sings for. I talk about this very thing in my book "THE TOP 20 SECRETS OF GREAT SINGERS". Besides, travelers "spread the word" all over the world. Brilliant marketing if you ask me.

July 13 2009 at 6:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply