all photos: Lexie Moreland
W-H-A-T-A-G-R-E-A-T-P-E-R-F-O-R-M-A-N-C-E
So how did this show start? I think my friend put it best when he said “ it started with a huge, swelling, epic wall of sound fronted by an impossibly large facsimile of the moon and then all of a sudden the rainbow lights get killed and the house lights go up full power and the Hot Chip guys strolled on in a la variety show / comedy hour style. As if they were playing to Johnny Carson for the umpteenth time.”
That basically sums it up right there. Skills, comfort and fun all wrapped up in a nice little show. After several moments of intense anticipation staring at a gigantic moon a la their newest album cover, where I felt that if I didn’t explode I would implode, Hot Chip comes on and the 930 club went crazy. I stayed on the second level, so as to get a good glimpse of all the goings on. The sold out show was crowded, as to be expected, but the energy of the crowd was a surprise. I really didn’t expect people to bust out like they did. I don’t really know why. I guess past 930 experiences have been tame. Well, everyone was out in full force pumping fists and singing along.
Anyway, out walks the dorkiest group I have ever seen. Can I just say that I have never been in the presence of such a nerdy looking band? And, I’ve seen a lot of bands. The large glasses, the wacky shirts, the singers perv-y moustache and the blank look on the dudes face in the back. Classic. And loveable. Assembled together they brought us joy.
Their performance was what I was expecting- a mix of old and new tracks, a stellar show and a reworking of some melodies. It’s a delight to hear your favourite tune extended or tweeked into an even better version of itself live. Hot Chip seem to be masters of this- allowing for the excitement of hearing a known song but also giving an added bonus with variation. So of course I hear Over and Over, otherwise I’d be mad, but it didn’t sound straight outta the album. It had an extra layer of fun!
Hot Chip didn’t blow my mind, but I was extremely happy and pleased and giddy at the end of their show. What with the strobes in full swing, the dancing around on stage and the general good vibes of the nerd band, who wasn’t satisfied? This is no electronic music group-staring at a bunch of synths- bobbing their heads around band. You actually feel like they are making music with their whole bodies. And they are! And really what can you classify them as? Pop? Electro pop? Dance rock? Conga shaking something or other? They layer on so much you can’t really keep track. But the result is a harmonious mélange of all you want to hear.
And I liked the fact that They introduced everyone in the band, clapped for them, recognized their contribution and danced around with wild abandon. Apparently they DJ’ed at Black Cat after but I have no recollection of that occurring…..
I had a fantastic night - and it was great to see the DC crowd representing and dancing their asses off. We went to Liberation dance party afterwards where they continued the party. Awesome show!
April 15, 2008 at 12:59 pm“Apparently they DJ’ed at Black Cat after but I have no recollection of that occurring…” uh…yeah, they did.
April 15, 2008 at 1:05 pm
CRAP KRAFT DINNER!!
thats all i needed to hear.
what a f*cking great show.
April 15, 2008 at 11:56 am