Brooklyn-based alt-pop-punk band Manic Pixi gave a promising opening on an unseasonably cold Spring night at Rough Trade in Williamsburg, BK as they opened for NYC local bands Bridges and Closures.
The few concert-goers milling around at the start of the hour quickly made it known that they were fr
antic fans once Manic Pixi took the stage. The guitarists, bassist, and drummer all took their places giving way to a solo entrance by vocalist Kat Hamilton, who waltzed out wearing a translucent pink vinyl tutu. From the beginning, the band commanded attention of everyone in the audience.
Hamilton, who is an easy doppelganger for Ashlee Simpson with a much fancier jig, showed no signs of fatigue as she powered through opening song “Newly Ordered World” and new single “Iron Heart”. The band’s following offering, a cover of Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood”, was reminiscent of successful Punk Goes Pop successes, with notable individuality above and beyond the pop singer’s top hit. During “Childhood Self” Hamilton demonstrated her breathy, alto-soprano vocals in a slow lament of opportunities to come and childhood dreams.
Despite its high energy, no part of the quintet left anything to be desired. Driving drums and high two-step-kicks kept the crowd riled up and ready to jump and sing along (so much so that a fan hopped on stage to give drummer Emmett a fleeting hug before disappearing back into the crowd).
“Kiss Me”, the band’s fan-favorite single from their debut album “Sugar Bomb!” injected mid-set mayhem
Rounding out the end of the set the two guitarists share a hide-and-seek intro to “Laughing” that breaks into the most musically satisfying piece within their entire repertoire. On an instrumental level, it is reminiscent of Paramore’s self-titled 2013 release, but offers a more youthful take vocally. Similarly, their final song, “Dredging”, was a vocally fulfilling and emotional end to an energetic set. Hamilton opted for a mic stand to croon about past loves in a piece that notoriously made her cry during recording. She gave off a vulnerable energy to round out what was truly a one-of-a-kind performance.
Coming off of a South By South West tour and IndieGogo campaign, Manic Pixi are on the horizon of their hotly-anticipated sophomore album. If this show is any indication of what’s in store for the band for 2016, then it promises to be a ride for new and old fans alike.
Stream MANIC PIXI’s “Iron Heart” below:
