The Majestic Theatre was filled with an air of excitement Saturday night as the flannel-clad crowd poured in. Marking both the Majestic’s 5-year anniversary and Dirty Projectors’ first Madison gig since 2005, this evening had been highly anticipated for months.
Minneapolis psych-rockers and Dirty Projectors’ labelmates Night Moves took the stage at 11 PM. They sank effortlessly into a deep, spacey groove and never left. Though the fuzzy guitar tones and reverb-laden vocals created an interesting atmosphere, Night Moves seemed to lose the crowd midway through their 45-minute set. Fervent anticipation for Dirty Projectors certainly didn’t help, but Night Moves failed to provide a dynamism that the crowd craved. While I’m a fan of their studio material and I’ll be buying their upcoming debut (out October 9 on Domino Records), I’m nervous that Night Moves’ live act is not quite ready for a crowd 300-plus strong.
Fifteen minutes of reggae-accompanied waiting turned to 25, and the crowd was more than ready to hear what it came for. Stagehands and technicianss finished arranging Dirty Projectors’ meticulous stage set-up, and the lights were finally dimmed around 12:20. The Projectors’ entrance was met with tremendous cheer. They started with “Swing Lo Magellan,” the title track off their latest record and a relatively interesting choice with its down-tempo feel. Leaving the door wide open as to what would follow, the Projectors launched into “Offspring Are Blank,” Swing Lo Magellan‘s bombastic opener. The song was a worthy indicator of what was to follow — a relentlessly high-energy, rollercoaster of a set. Frontman Dave Longstreth’s elastic lead vocals were supplemented by sharp guitar grooves and gorgeous three-part harmonies from the girls. Though his comments to the crowd were minimal but funny (“We’re in the Majestic, but the real majesty is in you!”), Dave’s captivating stage presence had everyone transfixed. After delivering a fantastic set, Dirty Projectors closed the night with a three-song encore that included fan-favorite “Stillness is the Move.”
Dirty Projectors have cemented a reputation as one of indie rock’s most exciting live acts. As confirmed by the adoring crowd, their performance on Saturday night was nothing short of spectacular.