Last night, Chairlift played a free poolside show at L.A.'s tony Mondrian hotel to promote their upcoming album Something. Maybe we're unaccustomed to seeing shows in L.A., but
there's something strange about men, who are hovering in the 30-year-old
range, closing their eyes and very deliberately bobbing their heads to live music --
not that unconscious, only-half-listening-to-funky-music head bobbing; the full on 15-year-old girl at Lilith circa '95 kind. To be sure, Chairlift -- who have
officially just downgraded from a trio to a duo, though they played as a
full five-piece -- have a rightful following. Their playing was tight
and practically studio-quality, and for such an ad-hoc venue, the sound
was surprisingly sharp. The poolside was so crowded, I feared for the
dryness of the cocktail waitresses, who had
to high-knee their way through the mostly-seated crowd. The band rocked
through a short set, building the energy of what felt like a very fancy, overcrowded backyard bash, until finally, at the last song, a
crew of restless (and completely clothed) fans jumped into the pool and
watusi'd through the final chord. That was more like it.
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