Farewell: Live from the Universal Amphitheatre Halloween 1995 (1996 Video) User Reviews

Good for converting non-believers

[treemarc · 9/10 · 10 August 2005]

Boingo unfairly got labeled a "one hit wonder" by most out of the loop- which is why fans get strange looks when they tell people how many shows they've been to. (Fans can rattle off 20 or 30 songs that we consider to be the "hits", but realistically, they only hit the charts a few times.) At the last show I attended (about a week before this video was shot), I met people who had flown in from around the country and realized that I had more in common with DeadHeads and PhishPhans than I thought. We all were absolutely devoted to a band that no one outside the circle seemed to "get".

Boingo rarely played outside the southwestern United States. I was lucky enough to see them 4 times, once in Vegas and thrice in Phoenix.

Anyway, this video comes closest to conveying the ecstasy that was an Oingo Boingo show. (Literally- watch for the fan who seems to levitate briefly during the intro to "Only A Lad"). If you were ever a fan, you must get this video, and show it to friends who seem mystified by your devotion.

The only problem is that despite the lengthy running time, this is NOT the complete show. The Farewell show I saw was about 3:20, and the actual final show was said to be about 4 hours. It's said that they removed the final performance of "Goodbye Goodbye" because it was unrehearsed (they hadn't played it for 7 or 8 years), but there are still 5-10 songs missing from the setlist. The video does include a few songs more than the accompanying double CD set.

Great band, great video!

[icehole4 · 10/10 · 22 March 2001]

Oingo Boingo has been a great part of my youth, and this video captures their style and performance excellently. It stands as a true testament to the ability of Danny Elfman to compose music (along with numerous soundtracks, theme songs, etc.) Check it out if you can find a copy!

Boingo's swan song

[craigjclark · 10/10 · 1 November 2001]

Six years ago, Oingo Boingo breathed its last on a stage in Universal City, California, and here it is -- the only concert film the band ever made. And, as the only document of the Oingo Boingo live experience, it does nicely, even with the copious crowd shots and hyperkinetic editing style.

At times the set list puts the emphasis on the band's last studio album, but there are enough classics from their 17-year history to satisfy long-time fans. And the performances are spirited, with Danny and the band obviously enjoying themselves immensely.

The tape also features an abbreviated history of the band, backstage shenanigans, and two music videos from both ends of the band's existence. All in all, it's worth tracking down.

Boingo fans: Must Have

[cryptomorphe · 8/10 · 6 December 2002]

There's not a lot you can say. This is the final performance of Oingo Boingo. While never really attaining mainstream fame, the group had a tremendous cult following...which they said goodbye to on Halloween, 1995.

The band performs classics such as "Only a lad" and "Dead Man's Party" as well as newer favorites, including 1994's "Insanity".

It also gives a brief history of the group, from it's days as "The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo" (an avant garde, musical theatre troupe) to clips of it's rarely seen music videos.

If you are a Boingo fan, this is a must-have. Stellar performances, hilarious backstage antics, and a heart-felt goodbye from an innovative group of hipster.

excellent concert/documentary

[serge-7 · 10/10 · 6 December 1998]

Oingo Boingo recorded ( never captured )live: from archival

footage of the Mystic Knights to the farewell concert, this

is one of the finest concert/documentary films I've seen.

Great video of a great exit of a stellar band

[damon-11 · 10/10 · 20 November 1998]

Definitely a must have for any Boingo fan. What a great trip through the past up to the present of a band that can never be duplicated. The show is high-powered, thought provoking, and as always, fun.