Amazing Baby & Phoenix @ The Wiltern

Amazing Baby is getting a strong push from their label, and a spot as the opening band for Phoenix's LA show couldn't have been a better placement for them. They then headlined the Hammer Music night with Band Of Skulls and the PR train keeps chugging away with a live performance this week on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic. Not bad for the young Brooklyn band.

Ok. Phoenix. Do they need an introduction? Well, I think they might only because when I mention Phoenix to people I tend to still get a confused look on their face like "huh"? I think, really? People still aren't clued into them? I almost look at them as a mega force already exposed....but I must still be in the minority. I mean...I started hearing about them when Sofia Coppola put them in her movie/soundtrack for "Lost In Translation". She even put them as the court band in "Marie Antoinette"....and well, Thomas Mars, the lead singer is the father of her baby.


So what's the connection other than her loving the band, (as should everyone) with their electronic, synth-pop deliciousness...Well ok so follow this - Coppola, friends with the band AIR, composed the music to her debut film "The Virgin Suicides", (and were also used in the Lost In Translation movie/soundtrack) had Phoenix as their backing back before they released their first album. See how it all connects?

Phoenix's pop energy had the crowd screaming after every song - so much so that every time Mars opened his mouth you couldn't make anything out. They were so tight that my friend looked at me and said "they sound like they are lip-synching", and not in a bad way...they just sounded SO good. They could have played all night, with so many songs not performed...but don't worry - they are coming back to play The Greek with Metric. Now if that isn't a dance party show, well I dunno.

My two favorite parts of the night? Mars taking a rest and lying down on stage while the band played a instrumental piece. Second? When the show ended Michael Jackson came on the loud speaker. No one left their space - it became a dance party. Fun times. Third? Well Phoenix, DUH.