Glass Animals: Smooth Summer

Glass Animals
Neptune Theatre, Seattle, WA
05.24.15

English indie rock band Glass Animals have had a quick uprising since their summer 2014 inaugural album Zaba, proving to hold one of the strongest debuts this year. The quartet landed a spot at this year’s Sasquatch! Festival, and followed up the same weekend with a sold-out show at Seattle’s Neptune Theatre. Opening the night at the Neptune was Gilligan Moss, playing a short set of smooth electronica to get the crowd moving their feet in anticipation for the higher energy headliner to follow. Blending psychedelic pop into their tunes, Glass Animals started out their set with “Black Mambo,” and created a unique sound with vocalist and songwriter David Bayley’s warm, groove-driven vocals and synthesized electro-pop hooks. Vocals were backed with guitarist Drew MacFarlane and bassist Edmund Irwin-Singer at just the right moments. The stage was set up with cone-shaped canvas structures, absorbing the haze of lights; this minimalistic set urged the crowd to focus on and absorb the tunes. The near entirety of Zaba was performed, with an additional instrumental song mid-set with Bayley switching to a tambourine. He kept the melodies of the tambourine going by jumping into “Hazey”, one of their most well-known tracks. Soon after, drummer Joe Seaward had added focus when Bayley joined him by jumping onto the drum set for “Flip”. Hopping off, the audience had some time to mellow out along with the band, slowing down for “Cocoa Hooves”, and speeding right back up for “Wyrd”.

Each member of the band had their strengths, but the most captivating feel for their Seattle performance had to be the likable character of their lead– his high-energy finger-pointed dance moves, hops on and off the drum-set, and leap into the crowd during the encore is what brought the most cheers. The crowd surrounded Bayley and elatedly sang the chorus of Kanye West’s “Love Lockdown” cover into the outstretched mic. The encore ended with “Pools”, with everyone clapping their hands to the beat of the band. With such an animated performance and successful fusion of genres for a unique sound, Glass Animals is sure to deliver a succession of praiseworthy music.

Glass Animals Set List:
Black Mambo
Psylla
Intruxx
Exxus
Gooey
Walla Walla
(instrumental)
Hazey
Toes
Flip
Cocoa Hooves
Wyrd
Encore:
Love Lockdown (Kanye West cover)
Pools