Yesterday was a big day for Wisconsin. Citizens took to the polls to voice their support for the presidential candidates in the primaries. The politics in the air were very palpable for the entire day, and that energy continued at Dopapod’s concert at Milwaukee’s Miramar Theatre last night. Because of the demographics of the concertgoers, the concert seemed to be more of a celebration of Bernie Sanders’ win. Even guitarist Rob Compa mentioned, “Ever since I got to Milwaukee I have been feeling a strange Berning sensation… I might need to get that checked out.” If you weren’t feeling the Bern, surely you were feeling the heat from the show, because Dopapod absolutely killed it.
The concert opened up with an energetic “Super Bowl” that got the crowd moving. Dopapod meandered through the set, taking little to no breaks between songs. Midway through the set, the segues started flowing much more freely, as “Give It a Name” went into “Eight Years Ended,” which seamed into a newer tune “Sleeping Giant,” and then ended this monstrous portion of music with “Cure.” The latter was a perfect choice for this position.
After flawless transitions of songs featuring heavy improvisation, “Cure” slowed things down. The catchy introduction on keys by Eli Winderman is hypnotic, simple, but laying the basis down for what is a chill song. Upon finishing it, they brought the high energy back with a rocking “Trapper Keeper.” It was a monster that had an incredible “Burning Down the House” jam. It started as just a tease on the keys, but the infectious groove of the song caught on as Compa started mirroring the very recognizable melody of the Talking Heads.
What followed was a monster jam that had a great peak, a jam that was so different from the original, giving it that unique Dopapod sound. After the jam, they finished” Trapper Keeper.” If any Dopapod fans were wondering if they would keep in their rotation the “Trapper Keeper -> BDTH -> Trapper Keeper” played for the first time in January in New York, the answer is yes. Of course, it shouldn’t have been a surprise with everyone in the audience Feeling the Bern. If Sanders keeps winning, maybe they’ll play Ben Harper’s “Burn One Down”… or Survivor’s “Burning Heart”… or Hendrix’s House “Burning Down.” The possibilities are endless.
Regardless, whatever Dopapod plays is going to be good. All in all it was a great Tuesday night show.
Setlist: Dopapod at the Miramar Theatre, Milwaukee, WI – 4/5/16
Set: Super Bowl, Cloud, Weedie, Give It a Name -> Eight Years Ended -> Sleeping Giant > Cure, Trapper Keeper, Bats in the Cave-> Ghost
E: Stada
A full gallery of images can be seen below, courtesy of Daniel Ojeda Photography:
