The Audio Perv

By Laura McWhorter

D.A.O.B – \Doub\ noun. Origin: D(esignated) A(wful) O(pening) B(and). Defined as the band brought on tour to make any band look better by comparison.

While Cults may not have deliberately chosen Magic Kids for the above mentioned reason..it’s definitely plausible since one of the big things the twosome had going for them last night was that they were NOT their predecessors.

Now, that’s not entirely fair. Let’s rewind a bit. The show got off to a great start last night at Brighton Music Hall as the first band, Superhumanoids took the stage in front of a modest crowd. The LA-based quartet quickly proved they were worth more than their early billing. Their cerebral, psychadelic pop/rock set many a toe a’tappping and many an iPhone a’googling to figure out just who these new kids were. Their sound was polished and they performed with a professionalism and confidence that can some times be absent in these smaller venues. My friends and I were parked at a table in the back and it took exactly 45 seconds for us to want a closer look. Over the next 20 minutes or so, the crowd danced their way through a fluid, yet varied, set. Cameron and Sarah’s vocals set a haunting stage while drummer, Evan Weinerman’s almost tribal beats guided us through the night. After they walked off the stage I have to say I was pretty stoked for the rest of the night.

Next up? Magic Kids. With the exception of a few bands, I’m often immediately skeptical when I see more than five people walk out on stage for a performance. If it happens…I better be at an Arcade Fire show or something equally awesome (e.g. Ra Ra Riot). I’m sad to say that’s not what happened here. After treating the fans to a seemingly interminable soundcheck, Magic Kids dove into a set that was anything but. Their upbeat, bright sound failed to translate for me to the live stage. There were some high points to the performance however. The uber fun A-side ‘Hey Boy’ had me thinking I’d gotten them all wrong. The crowd was dancing and singing along – impervious to the snow and rain outside. Then…violinist/vocalist Alice Buchanan blew her runny nose on frontman Bennett Foster’s beret (no one in the crowd had a tissue). And they lost me again. I’ve heard of these guys before and I was expecting a feel-good dance party with swelling sounds, poppy beats and infectious warmth. Instead, I was mostly bored.

Cults took the stage shortly after. There are few bands I’m more jazzed about than this NYC duo so my socks were primed for a pretty substantial rocking. Now, my intro might be a little harsh in retrospect given that there were some pretty awesome high notes in their (too) short set. Madeline Follin’s dreamy vocals and bedroom eyes set the mood as the band played favorites such as ‘Most Wanted’, ‘You Know What I Mean’ and ‘The Curse’. While Follin, Oblivion and the rest of their super hairy band were tight and on-point, unfortunately a sub par sound mix precluded the onset of the psychedelic haze that usually accompanies the Cults lullaby we all know and love. When we finally heard the ethereal opening notes of ‘Go Outside’, the crowd rejoiced and sang along in unison.

All in all, it was a suitable way to spend $14 on a Friday night but I would’ve loved to see a better showing out of these guys. In the middle of their set, Magic Kids front man Bennett Foster bluntly states, ‘It’s over. You can clap now.’ I couldn’t agree more, my friend…