Brightest Young Things

all words: Andy Hess
all photos: internet

During the midway point of The Low Anthem's set Wednesday night, lead singer Ben Knox Miller phrased "shut up and listen" in the nicest way possible before playing "Charlie Darwin" --  the opening track on their 2008 release Oh My God, Charlie Darwin.

"It's a real quiet one so we'll see what happens."

The people that paid a cover to talk to their friends didn't get the subtle hint. Those of us there for the show enjoyed a near perfect rendition of the track -- when it could be heard over the chatter.

[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/6682902[/vimeo]

But these Brown University graduates -- who's sound is grounded in American folk music and blues -- got their point across later in the set with full-throated tracks like "The Horizon Is A Beltway", "Ticket Taker" and a rousing cover of "Cigarettes And Whiskey" with Jocie Adams amazing backing vocal performance. It's still chill inducing.

The same could not be said for headliner Blind Pilot. As much as I loved their record 3 Rounds And A Sound, I could not get into their live show. Apparently, I was the only one because the crowd swelled to near capacity when Israel Nebeker and company took the stage.

Fans of the band sang the songs they knew and bounced around gleefully to the opener "Two Towns From Me" as well as the best track from their aforementioned album,  "The Story I Heard". The spare recordings of the Portland duo thrive in a live setting with the extra touring members -- adding touches of accordion and strings.

The highlight of the night was the joint encore with both bands, but that still couldn't win me over. Maybe it was an off night, but Blind Pilot could not manage to take those great sparse recordings and turn them into an even better live experience.

Previously in Live DC:

• 2/13: LiveDC: George Clinton & The Parliament-Funkadelic @ 930 Club
• 2/13: LiveDC: Veronica Falls/ Brilliant Colors @ Black Cat
• 2/13: LIVE DC: Steve Aoki/ Datsik/ Alvin Risk @ Fillmore
• 2/13: LiveDC: The Darkness @ 930 Club
• 2/9: LiveDC: Theophilus London @ 930 Club
• 2/9: Best Weekend Bets
• 2/8: LiveDC: Kathleen Edwards @ 930 Club
• 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
• 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
• 2/7: LiveDC: Demetri Martin @ Warner Theatre