LAST NIGHT: Two Door Cinema Club w/Friends At First Avenue 10/10/12

Photo credit: Tara Mrachek

Irish sweethearts Two Door Cinema Club shook up the First Avenue Mainroom last night with help from Brooklyn’s new dance pop prodigy Friends. Between Friends’ obvious obsession with Prince and Two Door bassist Kevin Baird commenting on how far the band has come since playing the Entry two years ago, both groups were blatantly honored to be there.

There is nothing better than taking part in an audience that genuinely connects with a band. That was the kind of energy that charged through the never-missing-a-lyric crowd during Two Door Cinema Club’s 70-minute set. The lighting production was simple yet strong; colors moved like waves accenting the heavy hitting percussion and Alex Trimble’s resonating vocals. The band closed out the night with a flawless interpretation of the 2010 favorite “What You Know.” It was absolutely beautiful and the semi-full venue sang back every word.


Photo credit: Tara Mrachek

The fans ranged from screaming adolescents to middle-aged couples celebrating a Wednesday date night. It is not an everyday extravaganza to see brilliant rock and roll while pre-teens get busted with flasks, frat boys drunkenly hang over the balcony, and older couples sway with their arms around one another. That said, everyone was super respectful of the bands and venue staff.


Photo credit: Tara Mrachek


Photo credit: Tara Mrachek

Friends threw down a strong supporting set; a string of dance pop beats complete with unique tempo changes, synth-driven melodies, and soapbox diva stage play. Lead vocalist Samantha Urbani took to the spotlight in a Gaga-esque get up; an extra-large Prince tee fashioned into a homemade dress, shimmering gold tights, a sheer black and gold overlay, her long blonde hair tight in a side pony, and dramatic eye makeup topped off with platform combat boots. Hot.

The superfluous percussion added mountains of energy to the 40-minute set. Silent yet sexy bassist Lesley Hann held the whole thing together with her exceptional handle on the meaning of groovy, especially during “Mind Control” from the group’s debut album Manifest!.

The banter and crowd interaction was impeccable. It’s nice to see a supporting band engage with the audience as much as Friends did. Urbani also used the room as a platform to express a few strong opinions— making statements like, “I don’t believe in marriage. But if marriage is for anybody, it should be for everybody.”


Photo credit: Tara Mrachek

As someone who saw both bands live for the first time, I was incredibly pleased. The dance tunes flowed continuously from the stage, both the young and the old concert-goers happily moved with the music, and the performers delivered with a true understanding of their audience. It is shows like this one that can rejuvenate excitement for truly entertaining live performances in a circuit flooded with mediocre stage cred. Bravo.


Photo credit: Tara Mrachek

By Laura Yurich
Wednesday, October 10 2012
First Avenue Mainroom

Posted 7 months ago