Datarock @ Foufounes Électriques review
Like any rising star, Datarock came on two hours late to kick off their 2009 North American tour at Les Foufounes Électriques (translates to The Electric Pussies) in Montreal last Friday. But the wait and having to endure Orange Orange was well worth it (thank god for the ridiculously cheap drinks at Foufs – are there bars where you can get beers for $2.50 all night in Toronto?). Say what you will about Datarock and their superficial lack of originality – they put on a damn good show.
I was a little surprised to see Datarock playing at a bar after reading the interview where they expressed their desire to fill “proper” venues. Foufs, catering mainly to a punk crowd, is also a bit of an odd choice for Datarock. There was no scoffing or bitterness from the crowd though. There were three or four enthusiastic teenagers trying very hard to start and sustain a moshpit. Security and the rest of the audience were not amused but I was sort of glad to see that they were having a good time – albeit at the expense of many others.
Datarock joked around the with the crowd about gay kisses and technical difficulties in between a set mostly filled with songs from their debut album. I was pleased because Datarock Datarock is undoubtedly their better album but I would have liked to hear “True Stories” live. I was all set to scream “I LOVE DAVID BYRNE” and everything. Should have done it anyway.
Audience participation was easily achieved because of Datarock’s simple, catchy lyrics. This is important! There’s nothing more embarrassing than a mic angled off the stage being accompanied by confused murmurs and feet shuffling.
Datarock is a genuinely likable band. This is true of the band members and of the band itself. Datarock would have been the most popular kid in high school. He would have been elected student council president without even having to run.
The night ended with a semi-ironic rendition of “Time of Your Life”.
Sorry I didn’t get any photos. My parents even sent me my good camera. The light show was just too intense for me to get any good shots.
Tags: concert
