all photos: Mike Danko and Mark Silva
all words: Svetlana

To say that the Sockets showcase at the Black Cat on Friday was epic, may sound trite but is definitely true. Following a bevvy of pre-show coverage, the likes of which I have not seen in a while (is there a magazine or website in DC that did not interview Sean? If there is, shame on you) Black Cat was SWARMED by hundreds (approaching thousands) of people curious to see what is all this fuss about (I swear that as I was giving my ticket stub to the girl by the stairwell she was explaining to a bunch of people how the layout of the Cat works, bar downstairs, show upstairs etc-confirming my suspicions that we had a bunch of newcomers in our midst). Obviously, the fact that the line up featured 5 hard working local bands for whom this was a Black Cat mainstage debut (that Holy Grail of local indie-music rite of passages) whose friends and family were all there, helped both the attendance rates and the general atmosphere of celebration.

I was initially a little worried about how the show would go because there were 5 very distinct (and not necessarily popular) sounds involved which required attention and a change of attitude from the audience from set to set, which, added to the fact that a 5 band bill was bound to last a LONG time, added to the challenge of digesting the whole show.

In my experience, the best spot to be, in these situations, is in the middle. And Imperial China did make the most of it. Big Gold Belt warmed up the audience with their art dance electro. Buildings bustled in good and strong, showing that Colin (Crowe) can still maintain the energy of house shows he earned his initial cred with even when on a bigger stage and after all that glorious noise,

Imperial China came in and did so well, I was really, really proud. They've probably played the most shows out of everyone involved and it showed: incredibly tight from the drumming (Patrick Gough powering through the set while recovering from a 102 degree fever only adds to the impressiveness) to the bass so fierce it reminds you of why you loved Rage Against the Machine in the first place, to guitars and synths, making a sound so spare and yet so rythmic it almost comes off as more melodic than most things that are meant to be melodic.

HUME had the ungrateful job of following them and while, as I feared, it took about 2 songs for them to recapture the audience whose heads were probably still ringing after Imperial China's set, I think they set the stage for what I can only say will be a very exciting year for both them and anyone who dares listen.

It is so rare that DC music puts out something that is both good and non-linear (lets face it, traditional indie pop and rock is what rules the DC right now) so when it does come around, you should all sit up and listen. That's how we felt about Le Loup, and in 2009 about Bluebrain and now-you should feel like that about HUME.

Cornel West Theory closed the show out and most of the people mosied out by then (it being almost 1am and all) but they did their thing and while I am glad to see smart, literate hip hop becoming visible in DC, I could not help but feel that they were almost too earnest in their purpose: the ninja mask, the "in your face" stage attitude, the songs that you want to play before you go out and march (for something)-it was almost trying too hard to be poignant. But they have great musicality and obviously a lot of talent and intelligence and it will be great to see where they go as they mature.

Afterwards, still basking in the soft glow of success, everyone and their favorite girlfriend and blogger went to the new Affinity lab space and dance till really, really late (or was it early?)

CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE.

And now, a 1000 photos. Mark's first:

Mike's photos

and then, the afterparty:

Previously in Live DC:

• 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
• LiveDC: Crystal Castles @ 930 Club