Concert review: Fitz & The Tantrums + St. Paul & The Broken Bones + Seratones
Am I missing something? Am I just some old curmudgeonly music snob who needs to loosen up and embrace the glossy, infectious ear worms that have much of the crowd in a state of ecstasy?
These questions ran through my mind as Fitz & The Tantrums energetically performed to a large adoring crowd at Rabbit Rabbit on June 1. It’s easy to dismiss a sloppy mess of a performance, but that wasn’t the case with the night’s final act; their playing was seamless. In addition, charismatic co-leads Michael Fitzpatrick and Noelle Scaggs energetically bounced around the stage, providing for entertaining viewing. It was as exuberant a set as could be expected from the popular indie pop band — I just couldn’t connect to the songs on an emotional level the way that so many others there clearly could. It’s like the band and I spoke a different language.
Just a bit earlier, soulful Birmingham, Alabama.-based group St. Paul & the Broken Bones did their best to outdo their co-headliners. Frontman Paul Janeway provided a memorable moment when he traversed the sizable crowd mid-song, delivering high fives to fans as he crooned. He eventually found his way to the top of Rabbit Rabbit’s special elevated seating area near the rear of the outdoor venue. The crowd, backs turned to the main stage, looked on with delight as he raised his hands to the bright blue sky, like a preacher leading a revival. Janeway seemed unphased as a few eager fans stuck their phones mere inches away from his face in order to capture the unique moment. The trek through the crowd was the highlight but it was Janeway’s voice that most impressed. Although I generally find The Broken Bones’ sound a little too streamlined, there’s no denying his immense vocal talent.
Speaking of first-rate singers, Seratones kicked off the evening just minutes after 6 p.m., showcasing the talents of AJ Haynes. A high school teacher who began singing at a Baptist church in her youth, Haynes displayed an exceptional soul voice as she commanded the stage with a joyful sass during the brief 30-minute set by the quintet from Shreveport, Louisiana. Playing their dynamic style of psychedelic soul, Seratones even momentarily weaved the familiar riff from Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing In The Name” into their own song, “Get Free.” Playing with the right amount of passion, skill, and unpredictability, Seratones strongly hinted that they’ll soon rise beyond their opener status.
(Photos by Jonny Leather)
