Two of indie pop’s shining lights hit the Vogue stage Tuesday night for a sold out show that fully proved when the bill is this electric, Indy will turn out for Indie.
Indie pop maestro Jack Tatum and his band — Wild Nothing — hit the stage promptly at 8:00 and delivered a delicious brew of shimmery reverb pop. The band’s 11-song set pulled equally from 2010′s Gemini and the soon-to-be-released Nocturne. Opener Our Composition Book got the crowd moving immediately. The new album’s title track, featuring a nice balance of guitar melody and bass, was next and displayed the full depth of Wild Nothing’s sound. Live in Dreams from Gemini was a great example of how the band elevates their sonic layers in the live setting. The set ended with Shadow, the first single from Nocturne, and Summer Holiday, a song that is absolutely perfect.
Much of the crowd was as excited to see Wild Nothing as the headliners, and the new songs were received warmly. I suspect Wild Nothing could play a show on their own at a smaller club like the White Rabbit or Radio Radio and sell it out. Great opening set.
The Vogue really began to buzz as the clock ticked closer to Beach House‘s first appearance in Indy. At 9:15, the three-piece walked on stage and, as if a switch was hit, the rapt audience locked in. What makes Beach House so special is their ability to create an atmosphere and mood. Beginning with Wild, from newest record Bloom, the woozy, sexy, sweaty, smoky vibe was established. That song slid effortlessly into Devotion’s Gila, followed by Teen Dream’s Norway featuring Alex Scally’s lubricious slide guitar.
Victoria LeGrand’s swooning vocals were intoxicating throughout the set, but especially shiver-inducing on tracks like Zebra and Myth. Beach House proved they could also rock out some with an epic version of Irene, the deep, sinewy bass of the track winding its way deep into your gut.
At some shows, the variety of the set can cause you check in and out. For Beach House, that’s not an option. You go with the mindset that you’re going to be submerged in their sound, letting it wash over you. You bathe in the spectral vocals, propulsive beats, and haunting atmosphere. You allow yourself to become entranced. I left the Vogue Tuesday night feeling cleansed and elated.
Were you part of the packed house at the Vogue? What did you think of the show?
