“Ah, the joys of machines,” intoned Dan Black about halfway through his set at the Mercury Lounge. He couldn’t have been more right. Punching some buttons on his loop pad and cocking an eyebrow at his guitarist, Black launched into a bombastic rendition of “Alone” that had a packed house swaying and bumping to a heavy synthesized beat. Machine-enhanced though it may have been, Thursday night was a sweaty, organic affair.
The night started off with opener Free Blood, a pulsing sing-along dance rock outfit that endeavored to “get the elbows loosened up.” Free Blood had some success, although the crowd was more or less lethargically indifferent to their catchy tunes. They were there to see Dan Black.
Black took the stage adorned with face paint and wearing what looked to be a shirt on the lower half of his body. Asked during the set if he was wearing a skirt, he replied “I don’t know; it’s fashion.” He kicked off with “Pump My Pumps,” transforming what had moments earlier been a sedate crowd into a gyrating mass. Joined by guitar jabs and synth hooks, Black whipped through tracks from his debut record, “((un))”. Occasionally he would stop to banter with the audience, charming British accent winning over nearly as many fans as his excellent tunes, judging by the response from crowd.
“I love you Dan!” came the cries. “But you don’t even know me,” Black pointed out. “Love is supposed to be something that evolves over time. You should say you have ‘strong positive feelings’ for me.” In many ways he’s right—we don’t know Dan Black. A young man best known for his collaborative track with Kid Cudi, he hasn’t broken into anything like the mainstream, despite an upwelling of underground support. He’s an unknown variable. A good young voice backed by an array of machinery.
He’s also really freakin’ good. Thursday night’s nine-song set flew past in the blink of an eye, minutes speeding up and falling away to the pulsing beat of drum machines matched by dancing feet. The set was pure energy, with the crowd feeding off of Black’s expressive energy, dancing around the stage and clearly enjoying himself. He was Thom Yorke on uppers and adrenaline.
At the end of his set, Black admitted to having nerves prior to the show, “But it was for no reason, New York,” he confided. “Thank you.” Indeed, the synergetic energy between crowd and crowd-pleaser made the show stand out, a sort of bi-directional “we’re here because of you” vibe. On encore “Love Life,” Black began singing the final chorus, only to stop and let the band and drum machine keep looping; “I don’t want to start the last chorus,” he said, “because then that means that this has to end.” Ah, the joys of machines.
Setlist:
Pump my Pumps
U + Me
Wonder
Ecstasy
Alone
Symphonies
Pass That
Alone
Encore: Love Life
DOWNLOAD: Dan Black - Symphonies f. Kid Cudi (MP3) or Follow us for more Dan Black MP3s (Twitter)
Two songs go in, one comes out. Pick a side.
Also, I have yet to pay this venue a visit, is it good spot? good people, good vibe, good atmosphere?
... man, i hope i win some tickets…
by Jaz Bonnin-Aldatz on Thu May 17, 2012 at 12.27 am from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Looking forward to the show. Would love to win some tix for my pals.
by MC Breath on Wed May 16, 2012 at 07.40 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
I’m dying to see him no better place than FETE!!
by Telly on Tue May 15, 2012 at 02.57 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
Sound does matter. Viva Le Fete!
by Auquanetta on Tue May 15, 2012 at 01.13 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
YES! i MUST go to this show! i was just strollin down the street the other day and saw the poster! SO stoked they’ll be in town.
by Jaz on Mon May 14, 2012 at 05.30 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Fete Forever!!
by Tabitha on Mon May 14, 2012 at 05.08 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
Congratulations and thank you to Fete for bringing talent to Providence! We needed this venue and vibe. Bless.
oh and I’d love to win tickets; its my boyfriends bday:D
by Ellen on Mon May 14, 2012 at 07.23 am from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
