The Whigs are certainly not new to the music scene, but I was recently introduced to the Athens grown trio a few months ago. While it was the promotional tracks from their forthcoming album, ‘In The Dark’, that spawned my interest, it was really the peer pressure from a couple Whig advocates that drove me to this show. No matter the motivation, I am extremely happy that I ended up at The Variety Playhouse last night.
I came across The Features a couple years back and felt pretty ambivalent about their sound, so I wasn’t in any real rush to get to the venue for their stage time. They were about midway through their set and in full stride as I scurried down to the crowded floor. I immediately kicked myself for missing even one of their songs because they sounded outstanding. The Features are hands down a live band, just like their touring partners The Whigs. Matt Pelham’s voice emitted a southern sincerity that mixed seamlessly with the pulsating drums and raw believability.
I was so excited about The Features after the show that I downloaded some of their latest tunes, and while their recorded sound is by no means bad, it’s just not as good as the real thing.
I don’t want to pretend I know much about The Whigs, so I am not going to. To be honest I only recognized a few songs throughout the evening, “In The Dark”, “Hundred/Million”, “Right Hand On My Heart”, and one of my favorites from the night, “Ok, Alright”…as it had Parker Gispert hopping about. The Whigs started their set confessing to the frat guy filled crowd that this was the largest Atlanta venue they have played as a headliner, so they were a tad bit nervous. So were my friends right, are The Whigs really all that and a bag of chips…I would have to say, yes, yes they are. Typically it’s difficult for me to fully enjoy a show when I’m unfamiliar with the band, however this was not the case last night. The Whigs’ music is extremely inviting and almost taunts your body to move with the sound; as proven when I turned and saw the audience bouncing in unison. Each member of the trio dominated their role, but the drummer, Julian Dorio, he’s a special one.
Some of the songs appearing on the The Whigs’ set list were: “Technology”, “Written Invitation”, “Half the World Away”, “Like a Vibration”, “Production City”, and the show’s concluding track, “Need You Need You”.
Overall, it was memorable southern rock show and I definitely plan on catching The Features and The Whigs next time they pass through my neck of the woods.
