by Mike Getsinger
If you’re a fan of alternative/indie pop music, the Foundry was the place to be this past Saturday. Bringing to you from opposite ends of the country were the Miami-based the Magic City Hippies and Oakland-born, Los Angeles-based, Tim Atlas. To come together in Philadelphia is a feat all on its own, and their affinitive sound made them the perfect match.
Before we can get deep into the night, opening the show promptly at 9 pm was Tim Atlas, bringing their west coast unique style of R&B and indie pop, warming the crowd with overlaying electronic instrumentals, a smooth and comforting voice, accompanied with bass, guitar, and drums. Making their vibe become contagious, the crowd was into it and so was I.
Atlas played tracks from EPs, All Talk, and Together Lonely, mixing in single releases as well. As they played through the first hour, they were able to connect with the audience. As the band closed their set, people cheered for more. But it just made the crowd more eager, ready, and talkative for the Magic City Hippies.
During intermission, it gave the people a chance to refresh their beverages, form a line for sighs of relief, and go out for a smoke all while conversing about Tim Atlas‘ performance and the excitement of the Magic City Hippies.
The Foundry was in a stir after I returned from a smoke break. People were lounging on couches, sitting at tables, and private booths in the back. Everyone seemed to be as if they were as comfortable and as if they were in their own homes. The 30-minute intermission made the crowd very comfortable, but people began to become restless, as the intermission worn on. Some were thinking something was wrong or the band was having possible technical difficulties, but none of that was true. When the Magic City Hippies took the stage, the crowd roared as they took the stage. Everyone was front and center, drinks in hand, and smiles on their faces.
The Magic City Hippies kicked off their set with the track “Franny“ from their Modern Animals album. They immediately had everyone movin’ and groovin’. As they continued with their setlist, the fired one hit after another including “BRNT” and “Bull Ride.” The Foundry became what seemed like a sardine can. The crowd filled the entire room, from the front of the stage all the way back to the bar, and bleeding even closer to the back near the private booth seating. This place was on fire!
There wasn’t a soul in the sea of patrons who weren’t bopping their heads, hands held high, loving, dancing, just plain getting down, intently enjoying themselves. All bodies were in some type of motion, Everybody was feeling it.
The band closed their set with the song “Fanfare” and left the crowd wanting more as they exited from the stage. The noise, the morale and the onslaught of cheers were enough to bring them back to the stage for an encore, not just any encore, but a 6-song encore! Their instrumental build-ups and stage presence were priceless, bringing with them the warmth of Miami in their colorful Miami-style Hawaiian shirts. I applaud you both Magic City Hippies and Tim Atlas. They came, delivered and gave the people exactly what they came for with an unbelievably awesome time.
