Goldrush : Mates Of State | Santogold | Ting Ting's

When the ticket says doors open at 6P, you know you are either in a residential community with noise control, or there are a lot of bands that have to play. 5 bands played last night at The Wiltern, and the parking garages were closing at 12:30. That's about 4.5 hours of music, not including band set up/down.

Alice Smith, Low vs Diamond, Mates of State, Santogold, Ting Ting's. Whew. All in that short time? Yes. A mini festival of sorts.

Sometimes I just want to hear one band play 2 hours of music...and sometimes I want their key songs, and move onto the next. Last night was a great mix of musical beats in nice short spurts. I missed Alice Smith and Low vs Diamond. Sorry.
Mates of State. Well...I love them. Love them. Muah. Their harmonies electrocute me. They can do no wrong to me - but I can a few minutes late into their set. The crowd seemed to love them which I was grateful for because it was a semi odd mix with electro/afro/dance music to be paired with. They were rad, but I really did enjoy them a tad more when they headlined a few months ago at The Fonda, only because I could focus just on them and dance my heart out.
Santogold. What a force. Mimicking the stage show of Public Enemy's back up dancers (the Security of the First World, who performed homages to old Stax and Motown dancers with their martial moves and fake Uzis.-allmusic) they might have stolen the show a bit. I was so entranced with their movement, fluidity and presence. Santogold got the crowd going, but she played a few too many slow songs rather than the energetic tracks I am used to. I was really upset that she didn't play "lights out". Wamp Wamp.
The Ting Ting's came on stage last. The last time they came around they performed at Above The Rocks, above The Roxy - quite a difference to be playing The Wiltern and opening up for these other fantastic acts. What I realised when they pumped up the crowd was how young she and her fans are. Bopping around the stage like a little nymph - she brought me back to the days of listening to Le Tigre in college, but with added dance beats. Unfortunately there was a big bright light illuminating her from the back - which looks cool watching, but doesn't serve well for taking photos.