HAIM
Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA
08.15.14
Carrying all of their gear, three theoretical lawn chairs, and a debut album that has seen unbelievable worldwide success, HAIM stopped by the Paramount on Friday for a beastly Seattle show. Hushed are the remaining critics they may or may not have lingering about in dark corners. The throng of HAIMers flocking around the double doors gave good indication that this band has built a legitimate following on a totally solid foundation, re: Days Are Gone. (Someone, please, find their fans a suitable name. Second to bat was ‘HAIMens’…)
An excruciating 50 minutes passed before HAIM finally stepped into the stage lights at 9:25. For the next 75 minutes, guests at the Paramount would be serenaded with their entire Days Are Gone album, sans the track Go Slow, in addition to a couple other goodies. The drums and guitar riffs came fast and hard. Two things, however, remained a complete constant: clapping and hair. Hair and clapping everywhere! If they weren’t jumping around and twirling their microphones, the Sisters Haim were killing it with hair moves. There’s a reason they don’t cut it off, guys. How, then, could they hypnotize their audience? Ok, fine, I’ll stop being stupid. HAIM doesn’t require tricks for your attention. They plugged the audience for air fists and chants of “Right!” during The Wire, as well as inquiring how we, ahem, ‘got down’: “Can you guys show me how you get down? We’ve never been in Seattle on a Friday!” Well gals and one dude, you should really come see us on a Tuesday, that’s when we really shine! HAIM ended the night with a crazy, mesmerizing drum circle that was exactly what it sounds like.
Taking the heavy load of being the sole opener tonight was Seattle-based Tacocat, whom, I will readily say, was up for the challenge. In between the sparkles, hair dye, and penned messages on skin, this Shab-Glam band really made my day. Somebody please transport me to a 60’s beach bar with a white floppy hat on. They don’t give a fuck, and I love it. Their music conveys a sense of lazy fun and regretful decision making. Their good humor and delightful conversation will probably be over razorblades or a good vodka mix. Tacocat played for 40 minutes, with a guest trumpeter for Psychedelic. I’ll be eager to catch these three gals and one guy around town again, for sure. In the same hand, if you’re really needing a pick-me-up and don’t live in the Seattle area, check out their album Shame Spiral, or their latest album release NVM, on bandcamp. You can thank me later.
Tacocat Set List:
Leotard
Cat Fancy
Bridge to Hawaii
Psychedelic Quinceanera
Party Trap
Bus Jam
Spring Break-Up
Hey Girl
Oskar
Anarchy
Uti
Crimson
Volcano
HAIM Set List (Verbatim):
Falling
If I Could Change Your Mind
Oh Well
Honey & I
Days Are Gone
My Song 5
Running If You Call My Name
Don’t Save Me
Forever
Encore:
XO
The Wire
Let Me Go
Review by T. Monte
Photos by Sunny Martini
HAIM
TacocaT
