We Were Promised Jetpacks w/ Tokyo Police Club
Crocodile, Seattle, WA
06.10.16
Draped in a light that blurred the lines of purple and blue, Scottish indie-rock band We Were Promised Jetpacks began their Seattle set softly, before Michael Palmer’s led the audience at The Crocodile into a barrage of a fast-paced, melodic guitar-work and pleasantly-aggressive chorus, sung passionately by Adam Thompson. Backed by the smack of Darren Lackie’s cymbals, the tunes worked in tandem with harsh beams of fleeting white light.
The blending of sound and light in order emphasize and embolden the rhythm is methodically crafted throughout the show. It’s their mastery of cadence – as it beckons your head back and forth – that effortlessly captivates patrons of their work. Like veteran conductors, WWPJ planted themselves center-stage, seamlessly bringing together a sea of people into a shared moment of appreciation, a well-choreographed dance. They firmly take the hand of the audience and whisk them into a night they won’t soon forget. They submerge themselves in light, forcing emphasis with sparingly-applied strobes.
WWPJ utilized their carefully cultivated arrangements to grip your attention only to release it by the closing of their set.
The intimacy of the venue does well to complement the styles of both WWPJ and openers Tokyo Police Club. Vibrant and energetic, lead singer David Monks of TPC connected with his audience through an exuberant display of energy. His sporadic movements see him using every bit of stage he can get his feet on, his charming banter and captivating tunes left the crowd exhausted from dancing. These two bands – while catalogued in similar genres – work very differently to captivate their audience, but altogether delivered a full and meaty show to enjoy.
Review and photos by Zach Etahiri
We Were Promised Jetpacks
Tokyo Police Club
