You should have been at the Klaxons concert. Seriously. With a crowd that consisted of everyone from German music journos to Australian hippies, the atmosphere at Bowery Ballroom alone could make anyone feel cool.
Opening up for the Klaxons were LA-based band Baby Monster, who were not only an excellent choice for their tour mates, but also really nice people. Originally hailing from Portland, Oregon, Baby Monster has a little MGMT in them, along with some Simian Mobile Disco thrown in as well. It’s pretty tough opening up for an act that has won countless awards, including the coveted Mercury Prize, but Baby Monster managed to pull it off with their synthesized beats and ghost like vocals. Their set list consisted of some of their already established classics like “Ultra Violence and Beethoven” along with “Kalookan Queen”.
After Baby Monster was finished winning over the crowd, the Klaxons graced the stage. Consisting of band mates Jamie Reynolds, James Righton, and Simon Taylor-Davis, Klaxons produced an atmosphere that was absolutely stifling. As songs like “Golden Skans” and “Magick” came through the speakers, the audience completely lost control. Immersed in a sea of fist pumping, I felt I was suddenly transported to an episode of Jersey Shore.
One of the Klaxons’ best qualities is their ability to craft an amazing live sound. With studio quality tones, it was amazing to see their recorded tracks truly come to life and be expanded. The connection made by these songs between the band and their audience was obvious, particularly towards the end of the set. When they finished the first round of songs and left the stage, there was a definitely a feeling of abandonment in the audience. Thankfully, they came back for a few more songs, continuing to inspire their wonderful rage and confusion for a bit longer. For their last song, they performed “Atlantis to Interzone”, and the energy made me feel as though someone had injected me with anabolic steroids.
Sadly, after coming back from my bouts of hyperactivity and abnormal behavior, I realized I was back at the Bowery Ballroom, and it was time to act like a human again. All good things must come to an end.
