by Donte Kirby
Owen Pallet and Doldrums brought their unique brands of music to Johnny Brenda’s Thursday night, leaving Philly fans eager for the Canadians’ return.
Doldrums, a four piece from Montréal that include both drums and a beat machine opened the show. They were high energy electronic music, the drums giving their danceable edm sound an extra kick. Doldrums performed with as much energy as the music evoked. Each member raved on stage in their own way. The keyboardist danced and swayed like she was at Electric Daisy Carnival. The lead singer, Airick Woodhead, would bow his head and rock back and forth taking the mic stand with him as he moved. The drummer thrashed as he played (as drummers are known to do), but Doldrums’ smooth techno sound made it seem more rhythmic than it would otherwise, and the band member on the beat machine grooved with each button press. When Doldrums left the stage, the satisfaction with their performance was more than evident in the applause.
Doldrums (photo credit, Megan Kelly)
Owen Pallet, in the past, has been a solo artist when he toured under his own name, his fans only seeing him in a band when collaborating with Arcade Fire. Thursday night was the first time many long time Owen Pallet fans had seen him with a band, when performing his own material. Likely a sign of the difference between his older albums and his latest work, In Conflict.
Pallet’s set consisted mostly of his new material with his older stuff sprinkled throughout. Pallet is an amazingly talented violinist and he makes it sing in a variety of different ways. His looping and merging of different riffs on the violin always created something better than the sum of its parts.
Owen Pallet was one of the shows that was so good it felt like it was over too soon. You look up from your beer and the band is packing up and you’re wondering where did the time go. Where ever that time went I know it was time well spent. If Owen Pallet is ever in doing a show near you I promise it won’t be a waste of time.
Owen Pallett (photo credit, Megan Kelly)
