all words: Mindy Barrett
all photos: Shauna Alexander
Rarely is a venue so packed, I actually take note of the fire exits, but the audience-situation at Cibo Matto's show was too close for comfort. And yet, I didn't care. No one cared because they were seeing fucking Cibo Matto. I've been to a lot of reunion shows this year, and while I never felt disappointed by one, I wasn't ever knocked out. Not the case with Cibo Matto - knocked the fuck out. Rare is the band that actually sounds better live, and I never imagined Cibo Matto would take the cake (food reference intended).
An elegant Yuka Honda and a be-sunglassed Miho Hatori bopped about playing favorites like "Sugar Water" "Birthday Cake" "Beef Jerky" and "Spoon," and their set was increasingly difficult not to dance to. In between songs Hatori told anecdotes - for example, they've been on hiatus for ten years because "We were in jail. We were in soooo many jails...but we learned to make jerk chicken."
Their enthusiasm and delivery reaffirmed my deeply held belief that little Japanese lady rap is the best kind of rap. Cibo Matto definitely aroused the most audience participation and dancing of any I've seen in DC this year. They also did something remarkable - they played "Moonchild," and then, believing they hadn't focused enough, re-played it. It was pretty excellent both times, but I appreciate their perfectionist tendencies.
Another reason they kick so much ass - their new songs incorporated into their set seemlessly. Usually a band's "new material" (especially after a ten-year-hiatus) is at best mediocre, and you the listener, are trying very hard to convince yourself that it's great. But Cibo Matto's new songs, particularly "10th Floor Ghost Girl", played like wonderful "lost songs" from Stereo Type A. The new stuff wasn't forced, or watered-down versions of Cibo Matto, having been influenced by ten years worth of garbage - it was classic, solid, indisputable Cibo Matto goodness. All the tall, goofy, businessmen that turned out were dancing their tall, goofy, businessman asses off to it.
Before launching into "Sci-Fi Wasabi," Hatori gave us another anecdote - "DC has a lot of bike lanes, so you can relate...We used to do a lot of bike riding but now we don't do anything because we're scared...since we got out of jail..." They finished their encore with "Know Your Chicken," which had grown men singing in the streets after the show (I know - I walked behind a group of them long enough to hear "Know Your Chicken" a second time...it was better when Cibo Matto did it).
Everything else worked tonight, too. The audience was dedicated and giddy to see a favorite band come back in such a satisfying way. Great sound engineering and good lighting too. I have zero complaints - this show was perfect. I cry "best show" a lot, but dollars to donuts (food reference intended), Cibo Matto put on the best show of the year so far.
Previously in Live DC:
- 5/22: LiveDC: Spirit Animal @ Red Palace
- 5/22: LiveDC: Astra Via @ Black Cat
- 5/22: LiveDC: Father John Misty @ Rock & Roll Hotel
- 5/22: LiveDC: Drive-By Truckers and Lucinda Williams @ Merriweather
- 5/22: Photos: Summer Camp takes the "Ladies of Town" Drag Show
- 5/22: LiveDC: Penguin Prison & Class Actress @ RNR Hotel
- 5/21: LiveDC: James Morrison @ 930 Club
- 5/21: Photos: Que Sera L'Anniversaire @ Napoleon
- 5/21: LiveDC: La Sera/ Beach Week @ Red Palace
- 5/21: LiveDC: The Black Keys & Arctic Monkeys @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
God loves a cheerful giver.
damn straight