All words and photos by Shauna Alexander
It's not often I get to see and photograph a band whom I haven't heard before. I try to watch live youtubes, learn the tunes and gear up for a show in hopes to capture those electric moments worth remembering. So when the opportunity to take on Le Loup came, I took it with a personal caveat -- I knew I wouldn't be able to do my usual research. I had heard their show was brilliant and full of energy, and everyone at BYT seemend to be completely enamored with them, but what I didn't expect was the level of talent showcased at the Cat on Saturday night.
Running late, as it seems to be my case nowadays, I zooped into Pree's set a few songs in. I've seen Pree before and I'll be real -- I'm not the biggest fan. Musically, they have the talent and the songwriting to be something great... a band I'd really dig. The lead singer is adorable and so earnest in her singing, but its that monotone girly singing voice that makes me bite my lip in frustration. Regardless they put on an excellent show, shelling out song after song with such a subtle calm about them. The last time I saw Pree, at Fort Reno, seemed a little shaky, so it was really pleasing to see them polished in all their pop perfection. Not to mention, I love love loved the red tights May Tabol was wearing.
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But I was really at the Cat to see Le Loup. Like I said earlier, I knew nothing... just to expect a lot going on stage-wise and some good times. Well even with these few words I was no where near disappointed. Le Loup is the kind of band I'd like to see on a Wednesday night, after a long beginning to the week in order to gear up for the weekend. I can't say it enough, they're fun. Seriously fun on stage. From all the instruments (bow on guitar? multiple drum set ups, a banjo?) to the wild get-down-boogeying their lead singer did as he crooned...I couldn't have asked for a better show to cut my teeth on. The music was infectious; I was constantly wowed with their intensity and energy; and my camera couldn't enough enough of the guitarist with the mammoth fro and sweet moccasins.
If you're looking for a review of the music itself, I'll leave that to the professional (who now that I read his show review, attacked Le Loup the same way I did -- a hopeful virgin looking for a good time). All that needs to be said is that next time Le Loup is in town you need to go to the show. I promise you won't be disappointed. And you don't even have to take my word for it, just check out the scene and all these happy concert-goers below. Until next time, Le Loup!
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Previously in Live DC:
- Live DC: Marina And The Diamonds @ 930 Club
- PHOTOS: 30 Seconds to Mars @ SONAR (brought to you by Maybelline)
- Live DC: Autolux @ Black Cat brought to you by Moldex Ear Plugs
- Live DC: Dominique Young Unique @ DC9
- Rock The Bells Report
- PHOTOS: Family Hemerlein August Edition
- LiveDC: Matisyahu @ 930 Club
- PHOTOS: Scissor Sisters @ DAR
- Live DC: Tears for Fears @ 9:30 Club
- Live DC: Vivian Girls / Brett and the Whispers / Heavy Cream @ Comet
God loves a cheerful giver.
I went to this show and thought Le Loup was lame as hell. How long are we supposed to endure a twiddly non-jam on a tonic chord? Getting two guys to drum enthusiastically at the front while you drone on and on and on over one repeated strum does not create interest. Their dancing was embarrassing and vocals with words seemed only to exist to link uninterestingly layered "ooooooohs". When you watched the guys crowd around the center of the stage you realized that this is hippie drum circle stuff -- it's a talented, accomplished hippie drum circle, but still a hippie drum circle. The most interesting parts were the Animal Collective knockoffs.
Those red tights are lucky.
good job Shauna!!!
I have those moccasins!
On another note, great pictures.
I attended this show as well, and opposite to yello's experience, found le loup's performance to be amazing. Incredible energy, lushly layered and diversified instruments - the songs are all thoughtfully structured balances between loudly meditative and surprisingly accessible (encrouching on pop sensibilities in some places - its very catchy at times). The evening brought powerful builds to cathartic moments - group drumming played a strong roll, I guess easily panned as a drum circle - I'm not sure how else you'd have 5 people building percussion... I'm not hip enough to find a band's dancing embarassing; the band members being into what they're doing energizes the audience, and it worked for me. anyhow, clearly not for everyone, but le loup's tunes and performance hit home for those with a flavor for it and they'll be a band I follow to see what they come up with next.