Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band at The Bowery Ballroom

People always used to ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I used to answer, "A Power Ranger," probably because at the age of ten I wasn't concerned with whether or not Power Rangers actually eat. (Do they? Is that a thing?) But now I know what I would answer: Yoko Ono. Or maybe I just want her to be my spirit animal. Either way, after seeing her in concert this past Sunday at the Bowery Ballroom, I’ve made a personal pledge to redouble my efforts to live life to the fullest and, for lack of a better expression, forget the haters.

Ono started her show promptly at 9 PM with a series of short films, and moaned, screamed, and sang her way through an inspired set that included two encores. In between truly hilarious anecdotes about the late John Lennon, Ono (clad in a leather motorcycle vest, black sunglasses, and a felt fedora) would shriek and shudder over energizing guitar riffs and trumpet solos, seemingly attempting to synthesize the voice of some mysterious spirit trying to communicate peace and love to the audience. "What a night," Yoko proclaimed at the beginning of her second encore. "Only in New York."

Images courtesy of Yoko Ono

Sean Lennon killed it on the guitar. 

Yoko used a customized mini-flashlight (distributed to audience members before the show) to say, "I Love You" in morse code. 

Yoko and special guest Earl Slick jammed out. 

The band played two encores!