Innerpartysystem
After only hearing snippets of their self-titled album Innerpartysystem, it was going to be an eye-opening evening no matter what. Having heard the single Don't Stop hundreds of times, after being unable to take it off repeat on iTunes, there was certainly a high level of expectation.
Although selling themselves short with a late entrance and, as a result, a set of only 45 minutes, Innerpartysystem somehow punched one great song after another in the direction of its small yet hyperactive audience, making up for what would have otherwise been, a bad first impression.
It is so incredibly cliché to talk about how a band has a great mood or tone or feeling, but these Pennsylvanians have nailed it. Whatever it is.
Academy 3 doesn't hold as many as other venues, but the people present were dedicated enough to their music and as giddy as a dog on heat to hear them playing it. And that's not always something you are guaranteed, even for bigger names in bigger locations.
Opening to green strobe lights and a bright yellow beam that resembles the sunrise after an all-nighter in Ibiza, the tone is set the minute the guys set foot on stage. Closer to a club atmosphere than that of a gig, and with a crowd consisting of punk rockers with glowsticks on their wrists, there is certainly a hybrid to Innerpartysystem that is incredibly effective and unique.
Frontman Patrick Nissley jumps on stage looking cool and calm as ever with his trademark black trucker hat. But when the bassline kicks in, he is not so calm and collected. Head banging to his own music as if it were heavy metal, the crowd follows suit bopping up and down, fists in the air to the thumping basslines.
Stand out tracks included This Town Your Grave, one of their more rock-oriented songs, Die Tonight Live Forever, which was so energy fuelled, you would think it was run on Duracell batteries, and Obsession.
What stood out about these tracks is, not only were they clear favourites to the audience as they chanted along "I want you to know what you've been missing" in Obsession, but the fact that they were so very different from the album versions.
Listening again to the original tracks, they are so much more tame in comparison to the out of control live shows. Having built a reputation on their tours so far of having one of the best live shows around, with the best lights and best beats, it is certainly clear to see why when you're there in the midst of it.
Although predictable for their closing track, Don't Stop was utterly welcomed. With everyone screaming along the words, not because it was the lyrics, but simply because they just didn't want the show to end, Innerpartysystem may have started sketchily, but have certainly gone out with a bang.
By the crowd's reaction, and the fact that it was the most played song on Scuzz TV for quite some time, can account that when they release this single for the third time, it will no doubt do better.
Although a new found fan of the band, the album does not even compare to what they are capable of in the flesh. Their performance was full on and although it was difficult to decide whether to rave or to rock out, they made me move my feet enough to say, I'll be there when they come around next time.
By Karen Asbury