Live Review: Chairlift @ Teragram Ballroom, 01.23.16

chairlift

On a Saturday night in LA, only one day after their third and latest LP ‘Moth’ was officially unleashed onto the world, Chairlift performed an intimate show at Teragram Ballroom. The Brooklyn-based synth-pop duo of Caroline Polachek and Patrick Wimberly came on stage with the band at 10 PM to an adoring crowd.

Two songs in, Caroline realized the synthesizer’s sound wasn’t audible, so Patrick bought some time with some classic technical-issue banter, noting this was their first show since the record came out. Once that got quickly sorted out, the band launched into a fan favorite, 2012’s ‘Something’ cut ‘Sidewalk Safari.’ Caroline cemented her status as one of the finest vocalists (and captivating performers) of our times, pulling off pitch-perfect vocal acrobatics with such ease. The new batch of songs really came alive with their disco-lite, retro-funk R&B vibes, especially ‘Moth To The Flame,’ ‘Ch-Ching’ and ‘Show U Off.’ However, a clear highlight was one of the quieter moments – the gossamer ballad ‘Crying In Public’ in which Caroline sang about having a breakdown on a subway car. The inclusion of their breakout hit ‘Bruises’ got the crowd to sing along, and it stuck out, showing how much Chairlift has grown musically and artistically since then. The energetic set lasted a little over an hour, and even though there was no encore, everyone was applauding so much that the band came out again to say thank you and said sorry they had no more songs.

The setlist was culled from ‘Moth’ mainly, bar two oldies and one unreleased cut called ‘Get Real.’ It makes sense that they wanted to focus on showcasing the new materials live on this night, but I hope they will add more tracks from ‘Something’ for the spring North America headline tour. Check out the tour dates below, and grab your tickets!

3/19 – LOS ANGELES, CA – EL REY THEATRE
3/20 – SANTA ANA, CA – CONSTELLATION ROOM
3/21 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA – THE INDEPENDENT
3/23 – PORTLAND, OR – MISSISSIPPI STUDIOS
3/24 – VANCOUVER, BC – BILTMORE CABARET
3/25 – SEATTLE, WA – CHOP SUEY
3/28 – SALT LAKE CITY, UT – URBAN LOUNGE
3/27 – BOISE, ID – TREEFORT MUSIC FEST
3/29 – DENVER, CO – GOTHIC THEATRE
3/31 – ST LOUIS, MO – FIREBIRD
4/1 – MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FINE LINE MUSIC CAFÉ
4/2 – CHICAGO, IL – DOUBLE DOOR
4/4 – ANN ARBOR, MI – THE BLIND PIG
4/5 – TORONTO, ON – LEE’S PLACE
4/10 – BROOKLYN, NY – MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG (MATINEE & EVENING SHOWS)
4/12 – PHILADELPHIA, PA – UNDERGROUND ARTS
4/15 – WASHINGTON, DC – BLACK CAT
4/16 – WINSTON-SALEM, NC – PHUZZ PHEST