My Uber driver had asked my friend and I what show was happening at First Avenue as he drove to drop us off there. Apparently I had some snarky comment about it being “just another generic indie pop band”. Although I somewhat meant that, I also knew I was just trying to not get my hopes up. Two Door Cinema Club is one of those bands that, although they are definitely in that indie pop vein of things that I typically judge for being generic, has a sound that has found a way into the daily playlist of my life. I think the only reason for the snarky comment was to keep a level head in preparation for the band to not sound like I wanted them to and to not have that sparkle that I so desperately wanted them to have. Like usual, the energy I had put into my pessimistic attitude was all for not and the show ended up being everything and more than I could have ever hoped for.
The only opener for the night was Overcoats from New York. Although technically a duo, Overcoats came in the form of a four piece band full of light and energy and an absolutely infectious sound that had the packed First Avenue mainroom moving and grooving. With clear nods to Tegan and Sara and acts like Betty Who and Robyn, Overcoats have a sound and look all of their own that had me absolutely captivated. Although majority of their music was upbeat and made you want to dance, there was something haunting about every track. Whether the vocals or the way the words flowed together, there was something painfully real and emotional about Overcoats’ music but the young women had a way of wrapping up all of those feelings with a bow of bounciness.
Overcoats only have one full length album and an EP out there but they treated the audience at last night’s show to some new music that hasn’t been released on a bonafide album yet. Those new songs proved that this duo will be so much more than just a flash in the pan in an over saturated scene. They have a distinct sound and an energy that refuses to be ignored and seems to have only gotten stronger with time. I know I’ve said it about a couple of opening acts lately but seriously keep Overcoats on your radar and expect big things from them.
The twenty song set from this Irish group was perfectly curated. A genius mix of hit songs and b-sides that came from all four of their full length albums, every song seemed to be better than the last. I clearly wasn’t the only one thinking that the song choice and order was perfect, it was clear that the entire audience was eating up every single song. Much like Overcoats’ set, every song performed by Two Door Cinema Club made you want to move. It wasn’t just the beat that was infectious but there was something radiating from the members that was also infectious. It wasn’t an insane show. There were no killer jumps from the band members and not really much witty banter between band and crowd but there was an unspoken connection between the band and audience that created a downright amazing atmosphere.
For a band that I had put up on a pedestal with every expectation for them to fail, Two Door Cinema Club proved that, like Overcoats, they will not just be another flash in the pan. They have the sound, they have the look and, most importantly, they have the passion that is felt loud and clear when they perform.
I really need to learn to stop being so pessimistic when it comes to seeing bands for the first time. Majority of the time they kill it and Two Door Cinema Club was no exception to that.
