A stormy dance party welcomes Australia’s Cut Copy
May 7, 2008, at Abbey Pub
By Britt Julious
Published: May 10th, 2008 | 8:10am
“Man, it’s been two years, Chicago,” lead singer Dan Whitford of the Australian-band Cut Copy proclaimed a few minutes into the group’s all-too-short early set at Abbey Pub. The most enthusiastic portion of the audience agreed with cheers and hand claps, already rocking back and forth to the music.
The shortened early show started off with Florida-based openers Black Kids. The group — first formed in early 2006 — is a minor sensation among teenagers and on the blogosphere. “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You,” the band’s early first single was a hit in the already-packed room as guitarist Reggie Youngblood performed like a pro. Although the group’s debut LP, Partie Traumatic (Columbia), will not be released until July, their impressive set gave off the energy of seasoned professionals.
Cut Copy took to the stage about an hour after the show began. A couple of rabid fans greeted the band earlier while most of the crowd — generally older than what one would expect for a youth-oriented combination of electronica, pop, and rock — stood idly, waiting to dry off from the thunderous rain storm outside.
“Out There on the Ice,” from the group’s new album In Ghost Colours (Modular/Interscope), began the night. Perhaps due to the cramped stage confines of the pub or the less-than-enthusiastic crowd, the band members seemed unsure of themselves. Whitford’s vocals were smooth and the song was even more enjoyable live than the already-exquisite album production, but the strange mood of the audience, sometimes even unable to crack a smile, created a sour mood from the onset.
“Time Stands Still” from Cut Copy’s debut, Bright Like Neon Love (Modular), much like “Out There on the Ice,” translated deftly to the stage. The song, more downtempo with a danceable beat seemed to temporarily revive the lackluster audience. Although Cut Copy’s music is dance-oriented, much of the first half of the set was dedicated to its pop-rock tunes. “So Haunted,” a heavy and aggressive single from 2007, featured fuzzy guitar distortions and was followed by retro-tinged “Unforgettable Season” and the bass-heavy “Nobody Lost. Nobody Found.”
By this point in the night, the mood began to pick up. Audience members intent on dancing began pushing toward the front while those more inclined to sip on mixed cocktails situated themselves in the back. Whitford and fellow band members Tim Hoey and Mitchell Scott made their purpose known.
“OK, now we want to see you guys dance,” Whitford proclaimed. “Saturdays,” frequently considered the group’s most well known single from Bright Like Neon Love, was embraced warmly, but not in the same manner as “Lights and Music,” the current single from In Ghost Colours. A joyous dance party soon emerged among the fans closer to the front of the room, as the band extended the build-up to the dance break.
After jumping back in its catalog to the song “Future,” the group closed the hourlong set with “Heart on Fire.” The song — first released in early 2007 — grew into a fan favorite in anticipation of the group’s critically acclaimed sophomore album. Whitford reiterated his need for the audience to dance, and by then the crowd was eager to have a good time before the second show began. As Cut Copy jumped and danced onstage to its own song, the audience followed suit, hoping to end the night in the sort of energetic and frenzied fever that makes Bright Like Neon Love, and especially In Ghost Colours, so popular in the first place.
Issue #35
Comments
Please login to be able to comment on this article.
more