Earlier this week, I was invited to check out Hot Chip’s show at The House of Blues in Boston, MA, and to say I jumped at the opportunity would be an understatement. Hot Chip has decorated quite a few of my playlists over the years, so getting to see them live was an absolute treat, and let’s be honest here; there’s no better way to start the work week than a Monday night dance session led by some of the best in the biz.
First up to the stage was the London-based group Friedberg. The all-female-four-piece took us on a trip to a post punk paradise, with a little bit of alt rock thrown into the mix. Their live performance gave the perfect blend of thick and gritty instrumentals and slinky vocals, and their charm and humor immediately warmed up the crowd.
Midway through their set, the group transformed into a full rhythm section, with guitarist Emily Linden joining Laura Williams behind the drum kit, and Anna Friedberg and Cheryl Pinero playing smaller percussive pieces across the stage. The entire set was absolutely stacked with some of their best, including “Midi 8”, “Better Than We Are”, and a catchy new single “Never Gonna Pay The Rent”. If Friedberg isn’t on your radar yet, now is the time. I truly think the group is one of the biggest acts coming up right now, and you definitely don’t want to miss out!
And then there was Hot Chip.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen a set that makes you want to just drop everything and dance. The group started off the night with “Flutes”, wrapping the audience up in a warm blanket of sweeping synths and techno beats.
Hot Chip creates a perfect blend of fragile indie songwriting with sturdy and danceable techno beats. Their performance was extremely percussive, with band members shifting effortlessly between drum kits and synths throughout the set. The group’s amorphous musical abilities made for a set that felt extremely collaborative, with each member playing their role in crafting the overall sound. In addition, iconic lead vocals from Alexis Taylor and Joe Goddard gave a softness to the hard and regimented beats.
The groups set ran the full gamut of their discography including crowd favorites “Over and Over”, “Hungry Child”, “Ready for the Floor”, “Boy from School”, and their newest single “Down”. To close their set, Hot Chip brought Friedberg back to the stage to perform a cover of “Sabotage” as a tribute to the Beastie Boys.
Without a doubt, Hot Chip has carved a unique niche in the indie alternative landscape. With a deep back catalog and years in the scene, Hot Chip still feels like they’re on the cutting edge of the genre with every release. If you get the chance to see them live, do it, and be sure to bring your best dancing shoes.
Though their US dates for this tour are wrapping up, Hot Chip will be headed back to the UK to play more dates this summer and fall.
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