Ladyhawke w/ Pillar Point
Tractor Tavern, Seattle, WA
06.30.16
On her third album, Wild Things, New Zealand’s Ladyhawke – née Phillipa “Pip” Brown – dove further into pool of commercial pop, laying off some of her previously edgy self. That electro-pop presence, on paper, sounds lively and vibrant. But for her live show at Tractor Tavern in Seattle, it seemed a nervous energy outweighed the artist’s spark. While she seemed to be a bit off in presentation, accompanied by a three-piece backing band, Brown delivered on sound.
Wearing a snap-back emblazoned with the title “captain” and a thermal marked “paranoid,” the oxymoronic theme was complete. Reticent at first, she opened the set with title track “Wild Things,” it’s island flair and soaring synths chugging away. The set covered old and new tracks alike, on which Brown showcased her clear vocals, switching off playing the guitar or going mic-only.
Brown’s material is definitely catchy, and the packed room was enthusiastically singing and nodding along, one guy in the front shouting encouragements throughout the night.
Opening the night, local Seattle artist Pillar Point – the cross-genre project of Scott Reitherman – showcased a refreshing turn on sexy-doom synths. His lively, dance-filled performance, supported by two drummer/keyboardists, was the perfect thing to get the crowd enthused. His tracks, floating between melancholy and disco, impressive.
Review by Stephanie Dore
Photos by Sunny Martini
Ladyhawke
Pillar Point
