Hot Chip @ The Wiltern [LA; 09/21/08]

There was a point, about three songs into Hot Chip’s set last weekend, where I was embarrassed for Los Angeles. Sure, the expected energy bursts were present, but still, the crowd wasn't moving. This is Hot Chip. They are dedicated to making people move across the world. They write songs with calculated crescendos for that very purpose. I’ve seen them convert the past two Coachella’s into all-out raving dance parties, in broad daylight (that link is worth it). And here we are in LA, a sold out show, and the crowd is too cool to dance? Hot Chip is not a band to be “watched” (though they are entertaining), they are a band to be joined.

Luckily, that wall didn’t hold up too long against such fun-loving synth pop. And balloons! You can't deny balloons. By the time we reached “Ready for the Floor”, there wasn’t a dry brow in the house.

Hot Chip hit all their live staples: “Boys From School”, “No Fit State”, “Over and Over”, “Shake a Fist”, and the aforementioned show-stopper. Often the difference between festival sets and exclusive venues is breadth of material. More time lets bands dig deeper into their bags. So the lesser-known tracks were quite enjoyable this time. 2004’s “Down with Prince” was hilarious and funky as hell. Another one off Coming on Strong, “Shiny Escalade” showcased the often-overlooked vocals of Joe Goddard (the big guy, FYI: Joe produces their records too).

Also interesting: Unlike past shows, they had a live drummer; perhaps hinting at that “new direction” quote singer Alexis Taylor gave to NME the other day – “…looking to change the sound of our band for the next few months”

Hot Chip would sell out the Wiltern again the following night. But we were already onto Fleet Foxes. That blog is coming soon.