On paper, performing on a stage the length of a football field, in an 18,000 seat arena, as the opening act for fans of the mega-successful rock trio Muse would appear to be a daunting task for even the most seasoned band to undertake. However, last week, from the very moment electronic rock duo Phantogram hit the stage of Houston’s Toyota Center (the first date of the North American leg of Muse’s current “Drones World Tour”) audience members were transfixed. Regardless of whether they were Phantogram devotees or staunch Muse aficionados, it was impossible for any concert attendee to ignore the allure and intensity of keyboardist Sarah Barthel’s sophisticatedly sublime soprano and Josh Carter’s remarkable guitar abilities and equally compelling vocal work.
Phantogram opened the nearly sold-out show with “Nothing But Trouble,” the first track off their new album, Voices. Mixing atmospheric dream pop with a gritty urban beat, it was the perfect song to get the crowd on their feet. Joined onstage by a magnificent drummer and an amazing bassist, the duo’s 35-minute set drew heavily from Voices (their second full-length release). From the dreamy layered rhythms of “Blackout Days,” the effervescent “Bad Dreams” and the bouncing “Howling At The Moon” to the smoky, bluesy ballad “Bill Murray” and the pulsating orchestral ambiance of “Fall In Love” (their current single) Phantogram’s unique brand of “street beat, psych pop” and Barthel and Carter’s combined compelling stage presence drew wild applause at the conclusion of every song.
For longtime fans of the duo from New York — which seemed to number in the thousands at the Toyota Center, based on the numerous and enthusiastic loud requests for early Phantogram favorites — Sarah, John and their two band mates solidly delivered astonishing versions of “Don’t Move” (from the Nightlife EP) and three tracks from their first album, Eyelid Movies, including “Mouthful Of Diamonds,” “Running From The Cops” and the show-stopping final song of the evening, “When I’m Small.”
While Phantogram’s innovative musical style — a melding of electronic, melodic indie rock, set to hip hop leaning beats & samples — has garnered them #1 spots on Alternative charts, their dynamic, unforgettable live shows opening for Muse is destined to win them the hearts of millions of mainstream rock fans. Phantogram (a name inspired by an optical illusion in which two-dimensional images appear to be three-dimensional) is at their finest onstage. Don’t miss the chance to Phantogram when they come to your town, because this is one act you must see live.
PHANTOGRAM ON TOUR:
2015
Dec 08 Knitting Factory Concert House Boise, ID
Dec 09 Knitting Factory Concert House Spokane, WA
Dec 10 Rogers Arena w/Muse Vancouver, Canada
Dec 12 Key Arena w/Muse Seattle, WA
Dec 13 MODA Center w/Muse Portland, OR
Dec 15 Oracle Arena w/Muse Oakland, CA
Dec 18 Staples Center w/Muse Los Angeles, CA SOLD OUT
Dec 19 Staples Center w/Muse Los Angeles, CA
2016
Jan 07 Valley View Casino Center w/Muse San Diego, CA (rescheduled from 12/16)
Jan 09 Mandalay Bay w/Muse Las Vegas, NV (rescheduled from 12/06)
