Papadosio is currently on their Fourshadows Tour that spans Colorado, the Midwest, and the South. Last Saturday’s show in Chicago was a special performance, dubbed Re:Vision with a number of special guests. Artists were making live paintings throughout all the music. The night was much more than a concert: it was a kaleidoscope of vibrations that stimulated the senses of sight and sound. It was an incredible evening that was topped off with a stellar set by Papadosio.
The bill included Psydell, Alex Grey & Allyson Grey, Desert Dwellers, and Thriftworks. Papadosio didn’t even take stage until after midnight, and played a solid two and a half hour set that included fan favorites, newer tracks, and a surprise cover. The show started with a typical “Magreenery.” It was long and filled with improvisation, albeit not straying too far from the song’s formula. “By the Light of the Stars” and “Monochrome” followed.
The genuine surprise of the night came in the next song. Papadosio covered Ratatat’s “Loud Pipes,” and they absolutely nailed it. The crowd soaked it in, enjoying every note. Everyone was moving to the beat in one way or another. Bobbing heads, shuffling feet, shaking hips; this cover got the entire crowd involved. Short but sweet, when the cover was over the crowd gave a very loud and raucous applause for the representation of the Ratatat original.
After “Loud Pipes,” they paused for a second to soak in the favorable crowd reaction and then they began to play a down-tempo jam. It was very slow but powerful at the same time. You knew they were just jamming to begin a song that would go in another direction, and that’s exactly what happened when after three minutes they segued into “How Not to Float.”
They continued to jam it out after the last notes of the song ended, beginning the improvisation with a very melodic and uplifting jam that was based on a very catchy guitar part from Anthony Thogmartin. As he played the guitar riff, the other musicians had chances to add different levels to the jam that made it very fun.
After toying around with this guitar-driven jam for a couple minutes, they slowed it down considerably and began a spacier, more ambient jam. This ambient jam was darker and more resembled the tune from which it came, “How Not to Float.” Despite being darker, the jam was beautiful and well played. The song and jams lasted fifteen minutes and was the improvisatory highlight of the night.
After a number of songs, they closed out the set with the fan-favorite “Find Your Cloud.” The bass during this song absolutely rattled the place. Despite it being past 3am at that point, there were not many people who weren’t dancing during this song. They encored with a fun version of “Polygons,” and called it a night.
Papadosio fans were treated to a fun time and a great Saturday night. As people exited the venue, many were echoing the same sentiment: they can’t wait to see Papadosio again. Fans excitedly proclaimed that Summer Camp, just 100 miles and a month away, would be that next time.
Papadosio ~ Concord Music Hall ~ 4.11.15
Magreenery (Re:Vision)
By the Light of the Stars>
Monochrome>
Loud Pipes*
How Not to Float
Cue
If It Wasn’t For You
The Bionic Man Meets His Past ][
New Love
Find Your Cloud
E: Polygons
*RATATAT
