I sometimes think of shows as an opportunity for musicians to make an argument in favor of their music. Can it hold up without the studio and the post-production? Does the band mesh well as a group? Can they communicate musically? This show was particularly well-suited to such questions and turned out to be a study in contrast. I came in liking both Fujiya & Miyagi and School of Seven Bells equally, but came away impressed by one and disappointed by the other.
Maybe School of Seven Bells just need more live experience (the sound wasn’t great, either), but the music I heard coming from the speakers barely resembled the lush, dense songs found on the band’s debut, last year’s Alpinisms. The delicately layered keyboard, synth, and guitar lines on which the band’s music depends clashed awfully live, lacking the cohesion of their recorded counterparts. If the band finds a way to keep their impressively nuanced sound intact for shows, I would expect the result to be otherworldly and beautiful. As is, however, their music wasn't effectively interpreted on stage.
I was curious to see whether Fujiya & Miyagi could translate their krautrock-inspired electro into something compelling enough to hold the attention of the audience. They succeeded, and this accomplishment can be summed up in two words: drum set. A steady, prominent beat grounded otherwise light songs without overpowering their other elements. Vocals were clear, keyboards provided nicely contrasting texture, and the bass replaced the recorded synth beats perfectly. Crisp and refreshing, bubbly and delicious -- there’s not much more to ask for when it comes to pleasantly mild French electro.
Fujiya & Miyagi setlist:
Sore Thumb
Ankle Injuries
Uh
Paper Airplanes
Pussyfooting
Cassetesingle
Photocopier
Pterodactyls
Sick & Tired
Transparent Things
Knickerbocker
In One Ear
Collarbone
Pickpocket
Electro Karaoke
[Photo: Shantel Mitchell]