SXSW 2014: Filter and Dr. Marten’s Day Party – INVSN

Filter has officially taken over the Rainey St. run of bars and clubs this year. In the heart of it all, Dr. Marten’s has teamed up with Filter to premier some of SX’s up and coming artists at Bar 96. The venue provides an intimate experience for fans to enjoy exclusive performances, partake in Dr. Marten’s photo booth, and catch some brand name swag while it lasts. On Friday, the location hosts Sweden’s INVSN as one of the leading day party performances.

INVSN is perhaps one if this year’s most curious acts to watch. Between the face makeup and all-black uniforms, it is initially hard to understand their point of view. However, upon witnessing their live performance, this mindset could easily take a turn for the opposite. INVSN’s indie rock sound carries a tinge of grunge that is just deep enough to bring in a modern twist.

When frontman David Sandström approaches the stage, his fiery energy emulates throughout the set. He exclaims, “If you can’t say something, then what kind of person are you?” It seems he intends to convey statements with not only his music, but also his performance. Between the black smear face makeup and the theatrical dance moves, the electrifying energy is palpable. He pumps it up with moves like Jagger. The mic swings around like a ferris wheel. At the end of the show, Sandström takes it the the max as he scales the tower of amps on the side of the stage and sings most of his final tune from the air. After climbing down, he jumps into the crowd and pulls the modest audience into a dance frenzy.

Side kicks, high jumps and hip gyrations are uncountable at this point. Ultimately, Sandström’s playful energy adds a fun, light side to INVSN’s set. It is worth keeping up with the group because they truly do grow and transition into a new artistic phase with each passing album.

Rachel Zimmerman: Rachel Zimmerman (Long Beach, CA) joined the mxdwn team in 2011 as a Live Concert Reviewer. It was the perfect intersection of two of her greatest passions- music and writing. Her love for anything artistic manifested early in life as she designed clothing, created ceramic sculptures, and curated personal playlists for her peers in elementary and high school. As an avid fan of live music, she always found a way to see her favorite musical artists play, whether it was by babysitting enough to pay for tickets to shows or by winning tickets on the radio. Several years, concerts and festivals later, she worked her way up to her current position as Concert Review Editor for music.mxdwn.com. She especially enjoys sharing her love for music with her young nephew who has an affinity for rock and roll and jazz. Rachel continues to review concerts, interview artists and annually attend SXSW in Austin, TX on behalf of mxdwn.
Related Post
Leave a Comment