Hooves on the Turf

Download “Comfy in Nautica” by Panda Bear
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The video montage projected behind Animal Collective’s Panda Bear (Noah Lennox) made his solo show all the more arresting. Though with little to say and a strange sort of serenity (despite all the bristling moods his songs convey), his solitary presence was already captivating to begin with. But there was something the visual display conveyed- via flashes of naked bodies, bearded men, a roller-coaster make-out scene, amongst others- that made the connection between his music and the audience more instinctive. Noah went from song to song without a pause, playing plenty of material from Person Pitch. He finally spoke in the end to thank others who played and those in attendance. There was no encore, but the set was not short. Animal Collective band member Avey Tare watched almost the entire show from the side of the stage.

More photos and other bands after the jump.

The more exciting moments from Rusty Santos were those that featured impressive drumming, the feel of it comparable to Animal Collective. At other times Rusty was wailing, convulsing, on the floor, getting right into it.

Kria Brekken, formerly Kristin Anna of the icelandic band Mum, sat at the piano to accompany her childlike voice. It feels like it twinkles, and with the warm, prancing sound of the piano, she might’ve been a music box herself. Her playing was not about extravagance, but rooted in classical influences, it featured fun murmurings. The audience was respectfully silent throughout the show, but more noticably during her quiet set.

Scott Mou was playing by the time I got there. His video montage, featuring bizarre animations at times, was even stranger.

Bowery Ballroom
June 18, 2007