I missed Two Gallants at the SXSW Ice Cream Social, so I jumped at the chance to catch them at the Troubador. Los Angeles continued the SXSW tradition of cramming lots of music in a small time frame and it seems like all of the bands that played in Austin instinctively migrated west. There is so much good music in town that not only do you have multiple shows to choose from per night, but they are packed with bands that are easily interchangeable as headliners.
As I rolled past the Troub my jaw dropped in horror as I caught sight of the rain soaked line, snaking in front of Dan Tana’s and doubling back toward the box office. I was hoping that the Daylight Savings factor would find people getting there a little later. Not the case. Slightly drenched but happy to be inside, I finessed my way through the already packed and undulating crowd and as I checked my camera settings, found my head steadily bobbing, and my mouth turned up into a smile. I had never heard the Cold War Kids, just a loud buzz about them from my pals that had seen them. I knew from the first 30 seconds that I was in for a treat. They played to the enthusiastic crowd as though they were headlining (and judging by the sardined mass of fans, they very well could have been). I loved how they competed for position on stage, nudging each other in approval and acknowledgment of one another. I’m always impressed when a band holds their live show in utmost priority, burying inhibition and repeatedly smashing into one another with both instrument and body. Makes for good music.
The crowd thinned a bit for Wires on Fire, but the respectable amount that stayed around were the F_ck Yeah Fest sort. Which meant that although they dwindled, they pumped in just as much energy and grit as the prior assembly. It’s at this point in the evening where things get odd. I shot about 10 pics, then went to check them to see what needed adjusting. Apparently a whole lot did, as each shot I took was blacked out on the lower half. Freaking out a little bit, I powered to the back of the bar, where there was more light. After a lengthy amount of examination, I was able to get my camera functioning again, although not at 100%. I spent the remainder of the evening shooting without the luxury of auto-focus, which, I knowas a photographer should not needbut hey, I’m spoiled. That may help to explain the lack of good pictures of Wires on Fire. Sorry.
Much like an accordion, the crowd that had swayed outward at midpoint streamed back into a bundle of expectation as Two Gallants set up and sound checked. As they eased into their sound with a slow melty intro, one eager fan belted to “get the f_ck on with it!” Moments later, they obliged in a huge way. They killed it. I now understand why Matt was raving about them at SXSW. Fluctuating between fast and hard southern rock and slow rocking-chair-on-the-porch ditties, they sucked me in. They sucked everyone in. I shot as many pics as my little half broken camera could handle and let myself go. Los Angeles gave us yet another night of great music. Please, keep it up!
