The audience was slightly more mixed age-wise this time around, with an older demographic filling the back bar and upstairs balcony, but same herd of diehard young fans packed the lower tiers of the theater. The most apparent change of the evening was in the band themselves. Growing from energetic musicians into exceptional performers, the band I had already designated as the "best show of 2013" has only gotten better. Playing the first three songs of the set in varying costumes, Joseph seems to take on a new identity behind his masks. Beginning the set standing on his piano overlooking the crowd, Joseph rubbed his hands together, plotting his takeover like a cartoon villain planning his next scheme. As the evening progressed and the walls between crowd and performer slowly deteriorated, the costumes disappeared. By song six, a beautiful cover of the classic “Mad World”, Joseph was bearing it all to the audience in a simple tank top and beanie, finally “himself” among his adoring fans.
This band's crowd interaction is half the reason I love them the way I do. Throughout the night both Joseph and Dun would climb into the crowd, Dun even playing a mini drum kit harnessed down on plywood, being held in the air by the audience. Ending the set with both men playing glowing Tom drums while being suspended in air by fans during the song “Trees”, it would be hard-pressed to find a more energetic crowd elsewhere. With a light show so good I literally gave band’s lighting director the little cash I had on hand as a tip, and band members both physically and emotionally leaving it all on stage, you are doing yourself a major disservice not seeing this band live. They truly embody the idea of loving what you do, making it so obvious it’s contagious. This dynamic duo will be back in Denver July 19th playing at 93.3FM KTCL’s “Big Gig” at Fiddler’s Green, and if you miss this show, you WILL be sorry. I have a feeling their time in the spotlight is only beginning, and I cannot wait to see what comes next.
-Maddie
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