It’s 2:30 in the morning, but after going to this show I felt like I needed to get this down. First off, remember when I saw the kids from Le Loup at Andrew Bird. Interestingly enough, Jim told me that they’re going to be opening for Andrew Bird. Which… really… HOLY CRAP. I continue to be more and more amazed by their story. I remember Jim telling me that he had originally bought tickets to the Rosebuds/Bowerbirds show, and then he ended up having to sell his ticket since Le Loup was opening for them. Now, imagine that they’re opening for what I guess is at least a few of the band members’ idol, and definitely mine.
And all with good reason. Le Loup finished off the night, which was already well approaching a very unreasonable hour. Tons of folks stuck around because well… it was AMAZING. How is it possible for a band to get exponentially better?
I wrote about their gig at Unbuckled, which showed amazing improvement over their Black Cat show. Compared to what I would call a logistical nightmare at the Black Cat show, Unbuckled was much stronger. But tonight, I would say I think I get them.
Initially I thought they were this zany band trying to fit as many instrumentalists on a stage as possible; not to mention there seemed to be a strong leaning toward the electronic/synth in a way that one might see as a novelty act. Tonight at the IA show, they showed a much stronger rock side, and better integrated the synth in the music in a less retro style. The way they rearranged some of their songs also helped me to gain a new vantage point.
They also play amazingly well together. I’ve played in and heard plenty of bands with tons of instrumentalists. I would say that with that many folks, people need to keep their ego in check and not try to outplay anyone else. Play 1/7 of the music if there are seven people. That’s how you get a solid, united whole. And that’s what makes Le Loup work. You have potential for a lot of cacaphony, but that doesn’t happen with these kids. Also props to the sound guy for making the whole thing work out amazingly. Given what he had to handle, it was solid.
Bellman Barker was enjoyable as always. I love their easy style. I found it necessary to move upstairs during Le Jeune and Jette Ives. Jette from Jette Ives has a fantastic voice, but I found that it wasn’t suited to the venue or the crowd. She is someone I would listen to while sitting on my couch. Not when I am trying to get pumped up.
