As a surprise addition to the SXSW festivities, Samsung decides to announce surprise, members-only concerts transpiring throughout the week. Lineups include artists from across the board – Jay Z and Kanye West’s first ever performance together at SX and even the likes of Broken Bells and Gary Clark, Jr. The only way in is to get to a disclosed location first thing in the morning of the show and flash a Samsung device to get a wristband. The final night of the series promises the most electrifying experience yet with hard-hitting new wave gods Holy Ghost! and Cut Copy.
The torrential rain on Saturday morning provides fans with less competition to get a wristband for the show. By nightfall, the rain subsides and the final night of SXSW 2014 is in full swing. This show seems to be the most secretive performance yet in the Samsung SXSW series. Its location is a tucked away at an unnamed venue at 5th and Lavaca – a small trek from the main strip of music action. Do to the quiet nature of this show’s promotion, there is little to no line outside, and a shot at getting up close and personal with these artists is anything but a daunting task. One fan inside laments how it is a mystery that Samsung could manage to get the likes of Jay Z and Kanye to play, but somehow they could not manage to get a liquor sponsor. One drink per guest does not please the growing number of guests. The general Samsung experience is rather underwhelming to say the least, but at least the music provides them with a completely saving grace.
Though Holy Ghost! is originally comprised of members Nick Millhiser and Alex Frankel, here is an expansion to a group of six. Yes, it is practically an arsenal of a band; but with such a full, enticing modern disco sound, it is no wonder that it takes so many to master electro music wholeheartedly. Underwhelmed with their modest turnout, the group’s energy falls a bit flat. The New Yorkers may have felt they were running through the motions because they have previously toured with Cut Copy… Ah, that old familiar feeling. Regardless, their music is dancey enough to engage the unassuming audience. They have mastered the art of blending synths and live instruments. The set feels almost robotic because it is so perfect. Onlookers bop and sway about. This is just the right warmup for the reckoning waiting in the wings.
One thing about Cut Copy – they make it all look too easy. Their catchy electro-pop dance tunes always bring a buzz to a room, their sets are flawless and their energy gets more and more fun every time they perform. Frontman and lead singer Dan Whitford’s dance moves never change. Little hops and “raise the roof” gestures go a long way as they encourage the crowd to mimic his moves and dance along.
It does not take long for the performance to take a whacky turn as guitarist Tim Hoey acts more and more loopy as the night progresses. This transformation begins with simply jumping at the crowd by the edge of the stage, and somehow it turns into mounting the drum kit and leaning his entire body forward on drummer Mitchell Scott’s forehead. The shenanigans continue during the breakdown of “Let Me Show You Love” when Hoey jumps off the stage and lets the audience help him finish the rest of the song by stroking the guitar as much as possible. Cut Copy’s ability to engage a crowd and keep their attention for the duration of a show is an admirable quality that is hard to come by these days. When they are commissioned to play a surprise show at SXSW 2014, the undoubtedly deliver a wild, satisfying set.
Set Lists
Holy Ghost!
Dumb Disco Ideas
Hold My Breath
Hold On
Okay
Do It Again
It Gets Dark
I Will Come Back
Wait and See
Cut Copy
We Are Explorers
Feel the Love
Free Your Mind
Where I’m Going
So Haunted
Hearts on Fire
Out There on Ice
Let Me Show You Love
Need You Now
Meet Me in a House of Love
Lights and Music
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