OK Go at Paradise Rock Club
Ok Go Provides Trippy Treats in Boston
The Paradise might be known traditionally as a rock and roll joint, but last night, OK Go transformed the venue into a functional discotheque. The Chicago band, who received an influx in popularity after releasing the enigmatic music video for single “The Writing’s on the Wall,” packed 18 hallucinogenic songs into a 90-minute set on Wednesday, September 17, 2014.
“It feels like forever / since we had a good day” lead singer Damian Kulash sang on the track, although the statement is debatable; the band sold out not only their Boston show, but also their New York and Washington DC shows – aka most of their East coast leg.
However, it’s not exactly hard to believe that the band’s ticket sales are on fire when the guys constantly drop new songs mid-performance.
“This is not on the EP we released,” Kulash said, introducing new track “Obsession.” “Which means, fucking pay attention.” Other secret debut, “I Will Never Let You Down” flaunted the band’s funkadelic vibes.
Highlight of the evening was “Skyscrapers,” a track that not only suites the band’s trippy melodies, but also flaunts a masterful baseline that emulates rock ‘n’ roll noir.
For what the band proudly called “the nerdiest part of the show,” Kulash had the (somewhat inebriated) audience imitate drum sound effects for a live recording of an a ccappela version of “There’s a Fire.” The band maintained the simplistic setting when Kulash hopped into the audience and played “Last Leaf” on his acoustic guitar next to giddy fans.
The rest of the evening, however, was rather excessive. Confetti blasters covered the floor in neon paper at least 10 times throughout the show, and the band made a habit of teasing the crowd by hiding behind curtains, requiring constant staff cleanup.
The band’s four song encore ended with power pop stomper “Here it Goes Again,” leaving the audience with no other complaint than the excessive confetti that landed in their mixed drinks.
“How does it feel to be a rockstar?” one fan shouted to Kulash.
“I don’t know yet.”
– DJV of Rock This Way
@VickiWasylak
