I’ve DJ’d my fair share of events that were clouded in controversy over the past 20 years.
You would have thought he was espousing communism on stage.
Nope, just echoing what everybody in Western Massachusetts already knew the plan was.
We were on all the local New York City news channels leading off at 5 o’clock.
The NYC Police Chief held a press conference to quell the publics fears.
Ascene straight out of Ghostbusters.
Except it was real life.
He was beyond irate.
The situation was perfectly encapsulated by Shooter McGavin drowning while making a call for help.
We weren’t even mad.
It was just par for the course with throwing Barstool parties.
We announce a party.
Demand goes through the roof.
A shit ton of people show up.
They have the best time ever.
We get yelled and screamed at by people like we were committing a crime.
I thought these days were long behind me.
As I scrolled the channels, CNN, Fox News, CNBC, the story was being talked about.
A tale as old as time sadly.
Except this time was different.
This was a freaking PIZZA PARTY.
An innocent, all-ages event in a minor league baseball stadium in Coney Island, NY.
What the hell could they possibly be up in arms about?
Especially to go tothesekinds of lengths?
It truly was surreal.
Adam from Medium Rare, the event and production company putting the event on said the same.
The weather couldn’t have been worse.
It was dark, dreary, and the rain was coming down consistently.
Traffic was extra brutal.
My hopes for a decent turnout were low.
These people loved pizza, and loved Portnoy, and some not in that order.
And not just on the outside.
When I got inside the gates, I couldn’t believe how elaborate and well-organized everything was.
(Where the hell has Medium Rare been our whole lives?)
This setup was insanely complex.
There were 35 pizzerias (we’ll get to them in a minute).
And not just any ovens.
These aren’t just run-of-the-mill pizza makers we’re talking about here.
These are truePizzaioli (Pizzaiolo’s)we’re talking about.
Experts in their craft.
I mean we were talking far, far, far from ideal circumstances here.
The fact they were still pumping out pizzas that looked like this was mind-blowing.
Now for the pizzerias.
I don’t think the general public had any idea the caliber of places Dave assembled for this event.
We literally hadTHE BEST OF THE BESTof pizzerias in the United States, all at this place.
And they weren’t just coming from the Burroughs of New York either.
*Full disclosure here, I tried all week to coordinate this with Dave.
He didn’t think it needed any coordination.
So the fact he nailed 2 out of the 6 is more impressive than it looks at face value.
We also had primo entertainment talent on board for this event, and I’m not referring to myself.
A wins a win.
And Teddy did not disappoint.
His voice is seriously even more incredible in person.
Pup Punk came on after him and in a downpour, put on a hell of a show.
I tweeted this later that night, but Caroline’s voice is unreal.
Not just for a Barstool personality, but legit.
She is the real deal.
It was the end of a great day and what turned out to be a monumentally huge success.
It was also one of the happiest times Ive ever seen Dave.
And it was only fitting that the enemies sent their spies which everybody knew was going to happen.
And they never will understand.
“It’s the people stupid.”
For a total wash out I’d say that’s pretty damn impressive.
Next year is going to be incredible.
p.s.- the merch line was one of the longest lines the entire day long.
“It couldn’t have gone better.
It’s our Woodstock moment with the rain.
Everyone had a great time.
The vibes are actually probably higher because of the controversy surrounding it.
They’re just trying to create negative headlines and get clicks,” Portnoy proclaimed Sunday.
Being like, ‘it’s not too late to drop out.’
Your like, dead dad would be ashamed of you.
It was pretty crazy," he said.
That becomes a story in itself."
