Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Saturday July 27, 2013 :
The excitable energy of the crowd standing in a long line on Enmore Road waiting in anticipation to consume Passion Pit and the supporting PVT on Saturday evening were not disappointed. PVT was a good fit to set the tone and provide a warm introduction to the headliner… albeit, a more contained and pragmatic rendering of all things electro pop, the mix worked and steadily primed the crowd for things to come. Lush moments of pop threaded itself through the theatre as PVT, in their element continue to deliver diverse and eclectic makings of what they do best.
From the onset of the raw energy of shirt and tied, Passion Pit lead singer Angelakos’ bold stage entry and presence, to his signature falsetto and pop synthed anthems, the audience admired, engaged and indulged. Reflective of the latest incarnation, Gossamer, you find yourself a little at odds – contemplating the nature of the lyric content, while wanting to give way to the infectious pure pop sensibility that defines the Passion Pit sound. The venue and the optimism of live performance dictates the experience and before long you give way to the thumping chorus and the catchy layered synthed arrangements.
The lurid lightness of passion “pop” mixed with heaviness of Angelakos’ words waxed with references to his self acknowledged struggles with depression – suicide, self loathing and life’s trials seemingly contradict each other, however the injection of dramatic stage lighting really take hold and the crowd find themselves submerged in charged moments of pure sweet pop antics… tracks like ‘It’s Not Right’ are testimony to this juxtaposition.
Front man Angelakos remains enigmatic, occasionally providing insights to his audience via fleeting interactions, but generally leaving the potency of his confessions and stories do the work – the rest of the band provide the sound sustenance and substance that take over and inevitably envelope the thirsty crowd. Lots of passion to be shared on a high energy exchange of pop laced social observation and confession… a sweet mix indeed. A night of passion enjoyed by all on the whole.
Reviewer: Lauren Becker
Photographer: Richard Hedger
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