The seamless, pulsating sound of Papadosio was unrelenting and all consuming Saturday night in the heart of the “Music City” itself, Nashville, TN last Saturday night, February 4th. The exposed beams and art house space charm of the Mercy Lounge was throbbing from the floors to the rafters with the band’s trademark blend of live instrumentation and swirling electronic bells and whistles. For the sold out crowd of diehard fans, their emergence onstage was the beginning of a spiritual recharging that was not just wanted, but needed.
Guitarist, singer and programming/keys player Anthony Thogmartin may be viewed by many observers as the ostensible frontman of the band, but Papadosio is as perfect a unit as any band on the jamtronica scene. While Thogmartin does the lion’s share of soloing and addressing the audience, it is a true squad effort that makes the music that moves the people with an inexorable power that is pointless to resist. Espousing a message of unity and lifting the spirit through the power of music, the band truly practices what they preach.
With the rhythm section of drummer Mike Healy and bassist Rob McConnell provided a irresistible rhythm that had the audience jamming in lock step from the first note of “Stick Figure.” Their efforts were bolstered by committee, as keyboardists Sam and Billy Brouse added in whip sharp digital beats, bells, and whistles as well as lush chords and dynamic traditional piano styled movements.
As the temperature rose in the room, the band showed no mercy as they pumped out the heaters “Oblivion” and “The Wrong Nostalgia” from their most recent EP, Pattern Integrity.
Clearly the band was pleased with the reception that their newest material was garnering, as they pointedly thanked the crowd for being the light that led their way to the future. Focusing more on creating a cohesive sonic tapestry than individual recognition, the lack of ego on the stage was very refreshing to witness. At times it was difficult to see who was adding what background pattern or fill to a moment, but the wall to wall motion and eyes shut bliss of the crowd was the true reward sought and achieved.
After a much needed short break to give the a chance to recover, Papadosio returned to the stage to execute a wild exploration of “Threes,” one of the most intriguing tracks off their latest album. Already a crowd favorite the twists and turns of the track was reflected in the free wheeling motion of the undulating throng of humanity before them. The pulsating lights mixed with the music and the heat of the room to create an other-worldly atmosphere that seemed to recreate a slightly to the left of center reality that was exotic and intoxicating to the senses.
After thanking the crowd and retreating from the stage the shell shock audience exchanged glances as the jarring return to reality set in. The perfectly crafted escape from reality that is a Papadosio show is one that needs to be experienced on a visceral, immediate level and is truly impossible to capture with the written word. Suffice to say it was a journey both inside and throughout the universe all at once. If the band comes your way you would be remiss if you didn’t do all you can to join in, let yourself go and let Papadosio guide you on a quest for the groove at the heart of your soul.
Setlist: Papadosio | Mercy Lounge | Nashville, TN | 2/4/17
Stick Figure, Smile And Nod > Monochrome, Frequence > Holy Heck, Oblivion, The Wrong Nostalgia, Euclidean Lights, The Bionic Man Meets His Past
Endore: Threes