On Hallow's Eve a terrifyingly enormous crowd of energetic costumed party people descended on Liberty Hall and packed it from front to back, overflowing the balcony and filling the dance floor. EOTO has been playing in Lawrence on Halloween for years, but this was their first year in the biggest venue in town, stepping up to play for the largest audience ever. The two improvisational masters, Jason Hann and Michael Travis have a knack for rocking out fresh material every night, flowing with the crowd's energy. Last night the party was a perfect blend of electronica that kept the dance going non-stop throughout both sets.
The great hall was loaded with crazed music lovers, from the old fans that go back to EOTO's early years, to young dubsteppers who knew where to find the best live electronic music around. EOTO's live instrumentals and vocals smoothly glide from one movement to the next. The band has no names for their songs, they just play what they feel and have the sets posted online, broken up into parts and named for posterity. For last night's show, the dynamic duo played their hearts out with precision and passion, holding the crowd captive from beginning to end.
The lights and visuals behind the band played out rainbow colors, cartoon shorts and artistic imagery through each set. The crowd of dancers in front of the stage were packed, but for the most part the people were decent enough to give each other a little room to breathe. A few smothering grinders aside, the entire venue seemed comfortably full, without feeling like a sardine can. During the set break a music-mixer took the stage and went on playing slightly less loud and heavy beats for those still hanging around. Outside the venue the sidewalk was overflowing with people taking a break from the music for a cigarette or some fresh air.
For the finale, the guys brought their epic harmonies, dynamic chords and whomping beats to a climactic peak. The audience went wild and succeeded in getting an almost-immediate encore. Travis and Hann have shown Lawrence a great deal of love over the years and in return the town has fallen deeper and deeper in love with this uniquely original band.
Now for Previews:
Any fans of electronica and dubstep hopefully already have their tickets to Skrillex Cell, 12th Planet, Two Fresh, Nadastrom. The show at Liberty Hall Wednesday night is sold out. But the after party is not! Blackout with Dillon Francis at the Granada should be a great time for $15!
Thursday Aotearoa is making their triumphant return to Lawrence along their cross-country tour. The funky jam duo is a fresh taste of dance-able good times. Playing with them are Dean Monkey & the Dropouts. Anyone who wants to hear great funk needs to be at this show!
Friday the Jerry Pranksters will be playing their tributes to The Grateful Dead at the Jazzhaus. Any fans of the original jam band need to see this fantastic live show of their style and songs.
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