Funk never sounded so trancy as when Mouth took the stage, headlining a show of electronic dance jams too hot to believe. Last night the Bottleneck got steamy with an accelerating show of musical talent that brought the crowd to a boil after midnight with Mouth's epic climax.
The concert started slowly, with The EZ Brothers warming up the bar. Sadly the audience was still light around 10 p.m. and the DJs had a small crowd standing on the dance floor and sitting around the venue. Quiet bar aside, the opener was a bit underwhelming. The electronic mixes lacked any simple, basic drum or bass beat for people to dance to, resulting in a few awkward listeners standing around the dance floor, rarely capable of busting a move. The general disinterest was confirmed when one of the DJs asked "Lawrence, what's up?" or something to that effect. Indeed, not much was up...yet.
Somasphere found the crowd's sweet spot right off the bat. The four-piece electronica band combined a traditional drum kit and an electronic drum set, with synthesizer and electronic guitar for a heavy, beat-focused set. The bass-lines and drum beats lured a full crowd onto the dance floor, where things immediately got hot and heavy. Twin fans on either end of the dance area could do little to blow away the roasting temperature building in front of the dance floor. A thick audience of appreciative dancers pulsed along to the music throughout the middle band's set. Somasphere's heart-racing, pounding rhythms held the Bottleneck captive until around midnight. The Lincoln/Omaha group is always welcome in Lawrence, hopefully they will be back again soon.
Headliner Mouth has a heavy following of friends in Lawrence and lots of fans even drove from Kansas City for this show, eager for a night of funky, electronic jams. The dance music Mouth has put together is a brilliant compilation of inricate guitar, bass and drums, driving the audience to a ecstatic frenzy. Their show at the Bottleneck last night was a perfect example of the band's reliably solid sets. The freaky funk, dynamic dance tunes and ravishing trance had the packed dance floor so full of movement and friction that the bar was scorching hot. Mouth has a lot of big plans ahead, including opening for EOTO at The Crossroads in Kansas City August 13th. Be there!
Friday, August 5th, Ashes to Immortality is playing with Whiskey Dik, Monzie leo and the big sky and Tyler Gregory! The Jackpot will be the place to be Friday night at 10 p.m., so don't miss out!
This same night, Sonic Sutra will be jammin' at the Jazzhaus for just $5!
Saturday, anyone who hasn't gotten enough bluegrass and folk the night before should head to Kansas City for Deadman Flats and Mountain Sprout. The two bluegrass bands will combine forces at Davey's Uptown at 9 p.m.
Comments