STRFKR’s performance was out of this world

Portland band STRFKR brought the weird to Columbia last Wednesday. Equipped with inflatable swans, astronaut suits and enough gear to make any music-lover geek out, STRFKR threw a psychedelic dance party unlike anything the Note has seen all semester.  Frontman Josh Hodges strutted out dressed as a woman — a timely political statement that probably went over the heads of less informed crowd members. His choice of attire served an important purpose and informed us of STRFKR’s ideals that the dance floor is a place of love and inclusion.

STRFKR eased the crowd into the celebration with the sublimely melodic “Atlantis” before transitioning into the jittery synth bliss of “Malmo.” Watching the end of a STRFKR song live is like watching some child savant playing with Legos. Each song is carefully constructed, but the tension they create by threatening to tear it down is absolutely thrilling. If you couldn’t figure it out from the crowd surfing astronauts, this willingness to toss out convention and improvise directly reflects the bands ethos — they’re just here to have a good time. Nothing embodies their lack of fucks given better than their gleeful cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.” The bass line triggered a roar from the crowd and sent the place into a frenzy.

Other highlights of the night were the euphoric “Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second” and fan favorite “While I’m Alive.” Considering all of the improvised jams, STRFKR cruised through over twenty songs in a set that went for two hours. It was a fantastic show. As I  left The Blue Note, I heard rave reviews from excited, newly converted fans as well as from a guy I shared a cigarette with who has been following them on tour for the last month. This may sound like typical post-show enthusiasm but it’s a testament to a band that has been near the top of the indie-pop pyramid for a long time and still brings it every night.

This post was written by Ben Kane, contributing writer for The Blue Note and Rose Blog. 

Ben Folds & a Piano: Show Review

Picture this: a man, a piano and a choir. Only, there was no actual choir. The choir was the audience, captivated by the incredible sound screaming from the sole instrument on the stage.

For those of you who didn’t go, I’m not lying when I say that you missed a powerful show. Prior to attending Ben Folds & a Piano at The Blue Note, I had only listened to him through my headphones and laptop speakers. There was no way of knowing exactly what I was in for until I got to the concert. The atmosphere at the show was unlike anything I had ever been a part of. My jaw was dropped in awe for 98% of his performance. To say that I was mesmerized is an understatement.

Fun fact: Artists who sell out shows at The Blue Note or Rose Music Hall get shiny gold trophies with a plaque that says “Sold out! Fuck yeah!!” Here’s Mike handing one off to Ben.

Not only was the crowd entranced by Folds’ undeniable skills on the keys, but also by his constant interaction with the crowd. The only word I can think of to describe the whole experience is intimate.

His constantly changing body language, the movement of his hands and the intensity of his words screamed of a connection that no one on the outside could understand. Folds would stand up from his bench and lean into the piano while his hands stroked each note and chord. One minute, his performance would be sharp and intense and the next it would be soft and delicate.

But it was the crowd’s interaction that really kept me mesmerized. For the most part, the audience just stood there soaking in Folds’ performance, but at other times it sounded as if he had an entire choir singing in unison with him. Every single person knew every single song and it blew my mind. Not only did they know his lyrics, but they also knew the right moments to join in and sing along with him.

All I can say is that Ben Folds is a master behind the piano. I highly recommend that everyone attend at least one of his concerts because when you do, you’ll never want to stop listening. Never underestimate a man and his instrument.

This post was written by Alyssa Michaels, contributing writer for The Blue Note and Rose Blog.

Show Review: Manic Focus

I was familiar with Manic Focus after seeing him open for fellow All Good Record label artists, The Floozies and GRiZ at Electric Forest 2016. This time Manic Focus took main stage at The Blue Note with Linear Symmetry opening.

I wasn’t as familiar with Linear Symmetry, a band composed of keyboards, drums, violin, and some powerful vocals. I looked them up before the show to see what they were about and although I liked a few of their songs, I was really hoping for something more heavy-hitting.

They turned out to be a total dark horse and played an amazing set. Their songs I listened to before the show sounded nothing like their live performance, which had a sound that almost matched that of Manic Focus. The vocals were a perfect complement to the drums. Their performance also had more of a dance feel to it than I had expected, especially when vocalist/violinist, Huma Haq jammed out as the drums broke down during their “How Deep is Your Love” cover.

After that sweet surprise of an opener, Manic Focus came on. Silence and darkness filled the theatre. The lights went up just as the beat did and the funk took over. He was ready to throw down. Lazers that went with every song illuminated the dance floor while his music provided the rhythm. The crowd went nuts and sang every word when he played his hit remix of “Dani California”.

Another crowd favorite was when he threw Chumbawamba’s “Tubthumpinng” in the mix. He really got into the throwbacks. I had stepped outside to cool off when he hit his fans with another popular mashup with Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason” (my favorite) and I had to run inside to check it out.

Manic Focus was a great time, he killed his set and stayed after the show to sign autographs and take pictures. The night was a constant dance party full of some great electronic music and mashups that everyone loved…but his “I Walk the Line” cover was the best part of the night.

 

This post was written by Joey Morando, contributing writer for The Blue Note and Rose Blog.

Videos by Joey Morando. Photos by Bryan Pitman.