PWR BTTM at DC9 on June 13, 2016

 Monday, June 13, 2016 at DC9, I got to see the only band I’ve been excited about in 2016 – PWR BTTM. They are a very out queer duo. One of them might actually be trans – I don’t know. Bob Boilen of All Songs Considered raved about their live show, so I listened to their music and found it fun. Pop sensibility in that you can understand the words. Lyrics are clever and easy to remember (also easy to sing along to), and since the topics are usually relationships, the songs are relatable to non-queer audiences.  Very over-the-top costuming involving cross dressing, smeared makeup, and LOTS of glitter. The best part was the banter. I LOVE when the musicians create a relationship with the audience by talking to them between songs. If a live show doesn’t provide something more than just music, why bother going to live shows? They get it and put on a real performance. And they cared about what the audience could hear. I get so annoyed at shows where the instruments are too high and the vocals too low. They asked the audience and adjusted to improve. Even plagued with some feedback, it was still a big improvement.  I had heard them joking at a recorded session that they were going to make PWR BTTM underwear as merchandise, and I was slightly disappointed that they didn’t have it at the merch table. They are  funny, and I like their sense of humor. Next time I’m dragging everyone I know to this show. You’ll like it, I swear.

Petal was the first opener. The best thing I have to say about her is that her eyes looked Technicolor blue in the stage lights, and her hair looked silver. I also liked the flowers she pinned to her guitar strap. And her skin was lovely – great complexion. The music sounded horrible. I couldn’t hear a word she said with the instruments up so high and the constant feedback. Even if I had understood the lyrics, I don’t think I would have liked it. She seemed too earnest for me.  

Pity Sex was the headliner. I heard them rehearsing before the doors opened and wasn’t impressed, so I didn’t stay for any of their act. They seemed like a standard rock band with a female lead. Nothing special.

Twenty One Pilots, Merriweather Post Pavillion, Friday, June 10, 2016

We went as a family to Twenty One Pilots at Merriweather Friday night, June 10, 2016,  because both kids love the song “Stressed Out”. It was Sidney’s first concert (age 7, end of 1st grade.) The show was sold out and we left our house later than ideal, so we ended up in traffic for 2 hours (usually 45 minutes). For the entire 2nd hour of that drive, we were virtually parked on the off ramp, 2 miles from our destination, with kids squabbling and crying in the back seat. When we arrived, the lawn was crazy packed and the food lines long. Lesson learned: we MUST leave to arrive when the doors open for sold out Merriweather shows. We can’t leave targeting the show start time and have a pleasant experience.

We entirely missed Dutch opener Chef’Special. I just listened to them on Spotify, and I’m not heartbroken. They seem to be popular in Europe, but they are just another dude band.

Mutemath was playing as we entered and finally got a spot on the lawn. They declined video projection and instead just posted their band name on the screen. That was a jerk move – no one on the sold out lawn could see what was on stage. Since I care a lot about the live performance, this was a big fail for me.

 

Twenty One Pilots had a really good stage show that Eric and Natalie raved about. They started off in the suits and hoods of their promotion pics, then changed outfits a couple times. The drummer ended up shirtless for most of the show, and he’s the kind of guy who looks great that way, so no complaints. There was a lot of standing on the audience while singing (or playing drums!) and acrobatic jumping. (How did the singer jump onto a piano? Springs in his feet?) There were some cover songs with the openers coming out on set. There were some great graphics on the large screen behind the act. Natalie was impressed by the dancing skeletons. There was a mini-movie during the wardrobe change that was a bit spooky involving death-outfitted minions who where lonely. Natalie was very impressed by the creativity. I was surprised by how much of their music is reggae-inspired. I don’t know much of their catalog and didn’t love it. Eric compared them to 311 (and that’s not a compliment.)

Sidney had a one track mind – he asked at the beginning of every song if this one would be “Stressed Out.” He had to wait an hour for anything we recognized. Sidney stood for a couple songs, but then got tired and sat down in the sea of legs. I joined him, so we missed a big chunk of the visuals. We left during “A Tear in My Heart” to beat traffic out of the lot.

Not a total success, but not a fail either. It would have been a much better experience if the show had not sold out.