Passion Pit – Lifted Up (1985)
Passion Pit – Lifted Up (1985) (2015)
Directed by: Phil Andelman
It’s been a while since Passion Pit visited the UK (Reading & Leeds Festivals 2012) and a lot has happened for the band in the last three years. Led by Michael Angelakos, the band induced us with their brilliant 80’s inspired indie-pop hits, crafting their unique and quirky style into a mesmerising stage performance.
Opening band were Dublin’s All Tvvins, an alternative trio with funky rhythms and catchy hooks. Their sound was reminiscent of early Foals and Tall Ships, and with their energetic performance it was a fitting intro to what was to come tonight.
With a semi-circle stage formation of a drummer behind a plastic shield and four keyboardists either side, it’s not your average set up, and all eyes were on lead singer Angelakos tonight. With a backdrop of fairy lights and front strobes, it got the crowd in the mood for dancing as they opened with ‘Little Secrets’.
Galloping about the stage, pausing to hit the high notes and jumping across the stage, Angelakos proved himself as an entertaining frontman, and the new tracks such as ‘Lifted Up’ went down a storm. The band were incredibly tight and it sounded epically beautiful in here. The catchy R&B sounds of ‘Where The Sky Hangs’ as well as the delicate guitar riffs in ‘To Kingdom Come’ were some of my favourite moments of the night.
In the 3 year absence, Angelakos has opened up about his struggle with mental health, and underneath the sugary hooks to songs such as ‘The Reeling’, you begin to pick apart the lyrics and view them in another way. Yet the support for Passion Pit tonight is unreal, the applause is deafening and Angelakos is sometimes speechless; after all the show did sell out.
We’re treated to a bunch of old and new tracks including the graceful, ‘Constant Conversations’, showing off Angelakos stunning vocal range as well as 2012 hit, ‘Take A Walk’.
Keeping it short and sweet, Passion Pit finish with the song that launched them, the shimmering ‘Sleepyhead’, and it takes me right back to the summer of 2009.
Without a doubt, Passion Pit’s new album is going to be a huge hit and it’s nice to finally see this band again and in such a small venue. They’re still going strong and the hits just keep on coming. Will be great to see them at some festivals this year too.
Words by Laura Harvey.
