It’s not always easy to get on board with who Rolling Stone dubs as an Artist to Watch, no make no mistake that Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros more than live up to all the hype surrounding their raucous and friendly alt rock, selling out shows across the country. I’d been spinning their debut record Up From Below for weeks and was amped to see how their eclectic sound translates live.
Openers Fool’s Gold, comprised of much of Foreign Born, wholly impressed with their bouncy groove rock that incorporates elements of African soul, tropicalia, ’80s dance jams and Hebrew to create a glorious sound scape perfect for partying to. It’s hard to imagine that the collective’s front man Luke Top is a paralegal by day. The band nailed a hot set gearing up the sold out house for the main act
The First Unitarian Church isn’t a huge venue; sure it holds a hell of a lot of music lovers, but it’s by no means a large venue. Rather, it’s a dark, unventilated church basement that has continuously put on some of Philadelphia’s greatest shows for years. I had myself convinced that the show was at Johnny Brenda’s — how could a ten piece band perform on the Church’s stage? Especially one with the wild amounts of energy that Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is known for.
When a ragtag looking bunch took to the stage, my hopes of an elaborately dressed ensemble were dashed, but nothing about their stage presence was lacking. Their energy, which was mirrored by the crowd, rivals only that of the couple shows I’ve seen Tilly and the Wall perform at the Church. ES&TMZ opened with their bounciest tunes, whipping the crowd into a cheering frenzy for each song that followed the one before it. Front man Alex Ebert nailed every note, sounding just as polished as on the record. Pixie-ish front woman counterpart Jade Castrinos‘ are transfixing and beautiful; she surely would have stolen the show if her mic had been turned up slightly.
What was a show stopped was the band’s performance of crowd [and my personal] favorite “Home.” Alex and Jade stared into each other’s eyes, belted out the love song with vigor and ad-libbed the spoken word bridge that on the CD recounts when Alex fell “deep, deeply in love” with Jade. While the below video of the Magnetic Zeros at the NPR offices in DC doesn’t do their on-stage show justice, catch a glimpse of what you missed if you couldn’t snag tickets to the hottest event in Philadelphia this past Sunday night.
If you miss Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros when they head your way, I am sorry for and disappointed in you in advance. You will not have [and haven't had] a better time at a concert this year.
Tour Dates:
Nov 21 - Pearl Street Downstairs / Northampton, Ma.
Nov 22 – Metronome / Burlington
Nov 23 – Cafe Campus / Montreal
Nov 24 – El Mocambo Club / Toronto
Nov 25 - El Macambo Club / Toronto
Nov 27 – Lincoln Hall / Chicago
Nov 28 – High Noon Saloon / Madison
Nov 29 – The Varsity Theater / Minneapolis
Dec 01 – Boulder Theater / Boulder
Dec 02 - Sheridan Opera House / Telluride, Co.
Dec 04 – The Bell Tower / Pullman, Wa.
Dec 05 – Neumos / Seattle
Dec 08 – The Biltmore Cabaret / Vancouver
Dec 09 - Doug Fir Lounge / Portland, Or.
Dec 10 – WOW Hall / Eugene, Or.
Dec 12 – Great American Music Hall / San Francisco
Dec 14 – The Mayan / Los Angeles
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros: website | myspace | @ monolith 2009
Fool’s Gold: myspace |
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