Los Campesinos! play D.C. (05/16)
Since first hearing their all encompassing style mixing catchiness and innocence late last year and then eventually becoming absorbed by their debut album, Hold on Now, Youngster… for much of the spring, Los Campesinos! have been holding my ears hostage with their euphoric, passionate sound and emotionally laced lyrics for some time. Needless to say, having the chance to check them out live was a major item on my “To Do List”.
I got that oppurtunity last night as the seven-piece outfit hailing all the way from Cardiff, Wales, made their Washington, D.C. debut at the Black Cat. Dazzling fans with a 60 minute set composed of material from both their debut album and various EPs, each member of Los Campesinos! seemed to played with the passion and energy expected for a band whose sounds and lyrics are one in the same, evoking emotions and ideals that neither one could do without the other., but that together, convey some of the strongest messages found in any piece of music.
This, combined with the jaw dropping, toe tapping, and by night’s end, an ear ringing fury of sound, generated by a collection of instruments ranging from glockenspiel to electric guitar, along with the sweet, yet epic vocal interplay between frontman Gareth Campesinos! and the lovely Aleksandra Campesinos! helped bring about what could best be described as a musical party for the ages. The packed house responded with equally strong levels of energy as stares of awe resulting from the overwhelming performances of “Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats” and “Death to Los Campesinos!” early in the band’s set, eventually gave way to a showcase of dance moves by the time “You! Me! Dancing!” rang from the speakers.
Aside from the fan favorites, the band also graced fans with a collection of some of the more unknown material as “The International Tweexcore Underground” and “We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives” offered nice change ups in the Hold On Now, Youngster… heavy set. One of the night’s biggest highlights for many was the now much blogged about cover of Pavement’s “Frontwards,” a song that fits Los Campesinos!’s makeup perfectly.
Yet for a band so musically talented and emotionally powerful, perhaps Los Campesinos!’s best attribute is their ability to have fun. The chit chat about scones and museums mixed throughout offered not only a humerus break from the overwhelming nature of the set, but brought about a reminder that music and fun come hand and hand. Los Campesionos! brought the party to Washington, D.C., a party in which each and every person present was truly able to experience the wonders of music.
I LOVE THIS BAND! I first stumbled upon them when Pitchfork posted the video for It’s You! It’s Me! Dancing! and there’s been no turning back. I had already been playing their debut album twice a day for the past month and the concert just threw my addiction past treatment. They are the real deal.
One of the most amazing aspects of the show was their genuine astonishment that they were throwing throngs of people into depths of joy.
A friend who wasn’t that into them accompanied me and said, that while he was enjoying the show, after It’s You! It’s Me! exploded in the Black Cat that it became a truly great music experience for him and there was no turning back.
I want them back, now!