Out of all the bands I saw this weekend on Friday, I knew going in that Phoenix were likely to be a highlight. I caught the tail end of their set at Lollapalooza this year, and even that was enough to blow me away.
This time around I caught the entirety of their 13-song set that featured tracks both old and new. One of the coolest things was where they started playing “Too Young” and blended it simultaneously with “Girlfriend.” It was a blink and you miss in transition that caught me off guard, but showed just how far these guys have come as musicians over the years.
As an album Bankrupt has grown on me a lot. “Entertainment” has turned into an instant highlight, and “Trying To Be Cool” is indeed effortlessly cool live. But what really shines live is their classics: “Consolation Prizes”, “Too Young”, “1901” and of course, “Lisztomania.” No “If I Ever Feel Better” hurt, but I was able to get over it after I witnessed Thomas Mars climb a high pole 20-30 feet into the air, and then climbed into the back of the pit and crowd surf all the way to the front. He gives his all during every performance, and you can’t help but give it all right back.
Can’t wait to see them again at Barclays next month.
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