Last Friday I found myself at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles for one of KCRW’s First Friday shows. As an avid listener of KCRW I was stoked to be at a show they put on.
I entered the museum to find people of all ages scoping out the skeletal remains of dinosaurs and whales and ready for some live music. The vibe was extremely effervescent and everyone seemed to have a smile on their face. I took a quick gander around some of the exhibits and hightailed it to the hall that would contain live music very shortly.
The crowd filled the hall in what seemed to be one large burst and Fitz and the Tantrums hit the stage. Fitz and the males were adorned in black suits while Noelle was wearing a black dress with black tights. A breath of fresh air entered my lungs as they commenced playing. Everything about them, down to their dance moves, were reminiscent of 60’s funk and soul. Their vibe was unlike most acts today: fun and inclusive! Upbeat and very theatrical, Fitz and Noelle connected on a level you just don’t see anymore, and their chemistry on stage definitely added to how pumped the crowd already was. With the absence of a guitar, organ, bass and saxophone created a very well melded and layered backing for Fitz and Noelle. I welcomed the “sans guitar” style and let the sax and organ flow through me. Not to mention, the sax player jumped on the flute every now and again as well. All in all, Fitz and the Tantrums were a genuinely well-constructed blast from the past with enough energy to send you back to the 60’s!
Musician Miles Tackett started Breakestra over fifteen years ago and is still going strong with the project today. They hit the stage with force, and the nine musicians attacked their instruments like no other. Miles played the guitar on the group’s first track, and switched to bass, an instrument he is extremely comfortable on, for the entirety of the show. Also noteworthy, Miles is apparently also comfortable behind a drum kit and behind the keys. After three tracks, Breakestra welcomed Vocalist Demya to the stage. Full of life and very sexually suggestive dance moves, Demya sang her lungs out for the rest of the show, much to the crowd’s enjoyment. Male vocalist Mixmaster Wolf and Demya had no issue when it came to rousing the crowd. Throughout their performance, bongos were hit; Saxes, trumpets, drums, organs basses and guitars were played. Their performance leaves you with an eyeful and an earful at all times. Talent fills the stage, and there is no question of that with Breakestra. With a total of ten people on stage, you may be instantly reminded of Ozomatli at first sight. Always a good thing in my book!
Overall, both bands, very similar in nature and genre, put on a lively, talent-filled show with a lovely vibe and smiles to go around the entire museum. I am grateful to have attended KCRW’s First Friday, and this will definitely not be my last.
