CURTAIN CALL

The End of an Era: Inside Webster Hall’s Final, Raucous Concert with Action Bronson

by Alex Hodor-Lee

Last night, Webster Hall ended its century-plus run as one of the great cultural mainstays of New York City. When it was announced that the venue would be shuttering after new management took over with plans to reopen it in 2020 as a “concert and sports facility,” it felt like another brick crumbling from a New York we used to know. But of course, Webster Hall, which has over the last 130-plus years has hosted everyone from Hillary Clinton to U2, would go out with one last raucous show: native son Action Bronson. The Queens rapper sauntered onstage in front of a crowd already turned to 11: “I’m from New York City, but can you believe this is my first time here,” Action bellowed to concert-goers. “Are you f—ing kidding me?!” As the DJ launched into Action’s 2015 hit “Actin Crazy,” the larger-than-life musician pointed up to the VIP balcony and whispered into the mic: “I love you, mom,” before looking out into the crowd: “I love you all.” And we love you, Webby. Good night.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

“The End of an Era.”

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

Action Bronson, drinking his beloved natural wine.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

Save the last dance.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

Dream.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

All Action.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

A lot of Action.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

Hands up.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

The man, the myth.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

Merrrrrch.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

The scene.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

Stairway to heaven for Webby.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

Bringing down the house.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

Merrrrrch, part 2.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

Action is Albanian. So is baklava.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

It’s hard to see in here.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

Whoa.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

Get low.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

WebsterHallTheEnd.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

Going for a ride.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

Rawr.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

Vertigo.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

Merrrrch part 3.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

Get it.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

He’s so flashy.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

In the cheap seats.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

Lights out.

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Photo by Alex Hodor-Lee for Vbeal.

The end.