It’s always awesome seeing (or stealing) a Tiptina’s poster advertising a great concert. This past Thursday, Tip’s and WTUL put on an amazing show featuring four incredible local bands.
Spirit Animals, a crowd favorite ever since their debut at Art/Official’s 5th of November at the Maison, kicked things off with yet another set filled with an eclectic collection of songs that the audience couldn’t help but dance to. For such a random start, this group, consisting of Baton Rouge and Boulder natives Gabby Stewart and Justine Bird, sure know how to enchant a venue.
After Spirit Animals came Chilldren, a Loyola-based insanely badass hip-hop group. They started off with a bang, gracing the stage decked out in glow sticks to the tune of DJ Alligator Project’s “The Whistle Song (Blow My Whistle Bitch),” giving everyone in the audience fond memories of the times when Dance Dance Revolution was the shit. After proclaiming that the theme of the night was a rave, they dove into the ultimate fuck-off song “None of It,” making everyone grateful that all us bitches were at Tip’s instead of the Boot. Things got crazy, with a dance-off and guest rappers randomly coming on and off the stage. Chilldren ended their set with the hit “All Up in Me,” which has one of the most creative hooks heard in recent memory.
Next on stage was Americana band Gold and the Rush. If you haven’t heard these guys yet, go to a show—now. Formed last summer, this quartet of Jake McGregor, Mark Strella, Sam Ferguson, and Chris Littlejohn has some of the best talent and charisma in the Nola scene right now. The instruments are beautiful, and so are the boys—you’ll find yourself grooving along to the dirty guitar licks. Jake McGregor led things off with “Older, Smarter” later leading into “You’re So Wrong,” and the ballad “If You Were Mine, I’d Be Someone Else,” which may be one of their most universally relatable songs. Everyone’s experienced heartbreak, and from it Jake wrote one of the most poetic songs GATR has. These guys are so fluid with their music, and it’s impossible not to notice that they’re having as much fun on stage as everyone else in the audience. Things finished up with their newest single “Cruisin’,” (also featuring a guest rapper), and “Crazy Love.” Gold and the Rush is getting all the hype lately, and this show proved why these guys are so damn good.
Last on stage was Big History, a modernist pop electronic sextet also based in New Orleans. They kicked things off with “War Drum,” flaunting the haunting vocals of Meg Roussel. Their usage of both the violin and Macbook Pros display the creativity of this group. The audience was mystified and soon the attention of the entire room was on the stage. Later in the setlist came “Every Bone” and “All We Are,” two songs that sound like something born from a cross between The Killers and Beach House. Big History’s next two shows are at Tulane University and the Maison; definitely go out and see them rock all whilst maintaining their chill aura.
Review by Maureen O’Neill
Photos by Katrienne Soulagnet (except for Spirit Animals by Liz Townshend)
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