Tigerfest '07: Pop Up @ Das Contras and Rieser
Twenty-three people in a back room at 1am must seem like a million miles from SXSW.
| 10 Jun 2007
Tonight's proceedings take a surreal twist when, about half way through Das Contras' set, a group of drunken cheerleaders crash into the venue and start chanting, "Let's go, Rieser, let's go." Unbeknownst to this inebriated rabble, Rieser (3/5) have long since packed up and gone home, leaving their traditional, melodic indie-rock - with flashes of funk bass and a persistent set of lead lines that borrow more from Metallica than any credible indie band would ever admit - ringing in our ears.
To their credit, Das Contras (4/5) don't even flinch and continue about their unenviable task of making danceable, catchy jazz without borrowing heavily from ska and reggae. They manage it with gusto. Occasional Latin rhythms, the odd free form breakdown and a little piano weirdness mixed with probably the most impeccable musicianship The Loft has ever seen.
Twenty-three people in a back room at 1am must seem like a million miles from SxSW but Pop Up (3/5) are no less consummate in their performance. They start slowly but gradually win over the crowd with their easy flowing riffs and customary balladry. They perform with polish, panache and a slight of humour that sees them play the entire opening of Eye Of The Tiger and fit in Fr're Jacques somewhere unexpected. They borrow heavily from The Pixies and add a little of that tenacious B&S melody for measure. It's a simple formula but, if the twenty-three merry souls in attendance at The Loft are to be believed, it's one that works. [Neil Ferguson]
To their credit, Das Contras (4/5) don't even flinch and continue about their unenviable task of making danceable, catchy jazz without borrowing heavily from ska and reggae. They manage it with gusto. Occasional Latin rhythms, the odd free form breakdown and a little piano weirdness mixed with probably the most impeccable musicianship The Loft has ever seen.
Twenty-three people in a back room at 1am must seem like a million miles from SxSW but Pop Up (3/5) are no less consummate in their performance. They start slowly but gradually win over the crowd with their easy flowing riffs and customary balladry. They perform with polish, panache and a slight of humour that sees them play the entire opening of Eye Of The Tiger and fit in Fr're Jacques somewhere unexpected. They borrow heavily from The Pixies and add a little of that tenacious B&S melody for measure. It's a simple formula but, if the twenty-three merry souls in attendance at The Loft are to be believed, it's one that works. [Neil Ferguson]