The Echo has frequently been the home of rock legends over the ages, and its chic atmosphere in contrast with its ramshackle appearance reflects that. Primary colored spots of light flash on the dance floor as dual disco balls illuminate a small room where people shuffle about impatiently awaiting live music. While some patrons lounge about in the booths circling the venue, others mingle with Eddie Argos and Dyan Valdes at the merch booth.
The opening act is Ezra Furman and The Harpoons, who jump right into things with their passionate folk rock stylings. Furman sings his heart out with little reception from the audience, a few of whom bop their heads or sway to and fro, though many attendees claimed that they were there specifically to see The Harpoons. Their performance was certainly self-inspired, but on the whole sounded like a folky version of Modest Mouse.
Later, the intermission dance music cuts out and the French national anthem blares through the room as the French Resistance… Now! takes the stage, opening with their tune “Creeque Allies.” Filling the ranks of the band Blood Arm frontman Nathaniel Fregoso and, to the surprise of many, Art Brut guitarist Ian Catskillin, who barely made it to the show due to international flight cancellations. The two cycle around to play different instruments for different songs, Catskillin hopping on keys and then drums at one point while Fregoso sings backup vocals. The band still seem to be missing a fifth member since prerecorded loops of drums, tambourines and such play while the instruments remain untouched. Still, the songs they play are riddled with alluring bass and harmonies you wouldn’t find on the album, as much of the show seemed like a whimsical yet well rehearsed performance for the band. Argos feels the need to set up each song in order for the audience to understand its meaning, and although his British colored commentary is amusing, he sometimes babbles on tangents leaving the audience in want for what they paid to see: the music. Later, Eddie admitted that he was a tad nervous on how their first show of the tour would go and that he now believes he has a grasp of what his band is capable of, performance wise.
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