The Egg and Sophie Barker brought an eclectic British Invasion night of music to the The Satellite in Silver Lake.
Adorned with matching shirts emblazoned with cartoon hero The Flash’s logo, the infamous EDM innovators The Egg delivered quite the electronic dance fest. In contrast to Sophie Barker’s generally mid- to down-tempo music, the quartet showcased a seamless, bass-thumping, non-stop wave of electric music with organic elements. Live drums (Maff Scott), guitar (Matt White), bass (Paul Marshall) and keys/vocals (Ned Scott) laced seamlessly with loops, samples and vivid projected images that correlated to each song.
Though this fun band had great grooves reminiscent of Basement Jaxx and Daft Punk, the audience was unfortunately less the Ibiza type and more the head-bopping, hands-in-your-pockets crowd, more poised and ready for Sophie Barker.
Some fans danced near the front of the stage, feeling the beat and syncopated rhythms. But aside from the keyboardist who doubled as bassist, passionately giving his all to the performance, the band wasn’t very interactive with the audience. They mostly drew into themselves, occasionally pointing up to the sky, preparing the audience for an impending beat drop.
Due to the curious unattended microphone placed center stage, die-hard fans stayed on, eagerly awaiting to see who the guest vocalist would be. Mid-set, Sophie Barker emerged through the backstage curtain and they performed their collaborative hit, “Walking Away”, made virally famous by DJ David Guetta’s remix. Another highlight included the performance of “Keep It Simple Stupid.” The night may not have been their best, but in their element, the legendary EDM band would be sure to please.
The Egg’s new album, Something To Do, is currently available in iTunes and Amazon.
After a successful tour in Mexico, most notably in Tuluum, Sophie was elated and ready to return to the States to perform songs from her album Seagull, introduce new songs from her currently unnamed forthcoming album and reminisce with songs from her Zero7 and Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins) collaborations.
Like a private show meant for close friends and the most passionate of fans, Sophie was exalted by a packed house in the intimate venue. Wearing a sparkly blue dress, shiny flats and a simple bun, she drew the crowd in with her effervescent, yet absorbingly deep performance. Toting a six-piece band, she sang amongst the backdrop of an entirely live, organic vibe that felt more New York or Chicago than Los Angeles. No DJ, flashy outfits or stand-offish “holier-than-thou” attitudes were found; all eyes and ears were on her set.
Though she has traveled the world, racking up accolades in songwriting, Barker still had a way of making herself tangible and familiar with the audience that was truly remarkable. She triumphed through electrical difficulties and drunken requests with a care-free laugh and sang passionately–the essence of a stage performer. Mid-set, she lead a toast to celebrate her bandmate’s birthday while audience members yelled “Shots! Shots! Shots!” and even chimed in as they whooped through a slightly inebriated “Happy Birthday.” Before her goosebump-inducing, tear-summoning acoustic performance of “Destiny” (from her Zero7 collaboration), she dedicated the song to two audience members that had been together for 10 years.
Her band’s talent was limitless. Whether strings, sax, drums, bass, guitar, background vocals, drums or keys, each musician carefully delivered the necessary emotions, tone and nuances of each song. Some of her bandmates, like the keyboardist, played multiple instruments. They worked together as a living organism, breathing colorful details to the portrait Barker painted with her words and soulful, airy but smoky voice. Elements of her performance envoked a young Sade.
Highlights of her set included her cover of The Cure’s “A Forest,” the acoustic performance “In The Waiting Line,” one of Zero7’s songs, “Break The Habit” and “Paper Thin.” The experience was quite ethereal and definitely one to see!
Sophie’s album, Seagull, is available on iTunes and Amazon now. Visit her website sophiebarker.com for updates regarding her forthcoming album and shows.
Sophie Barker Setlist
Break The Habit
Start Me
I Do It To Myself
Say Goodbye
Destiny (Zero 7)
Maybe I
A Forest (The Cure)
Paper Thin
In The Waiting Line (Zero 7)
Gold Dust Woman (Fleetwood Mac)
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