Everything at Le Poisson Rouge feels a little bit backwards.
And that is not a bad thing.
It’s 7:30pm and someone is drinking ice coffee. The stage is by the entrance, not on the opposite side of the room. Usually venues are hot, but this one was frigid. Here, the opener starts at 7:45pm, an odd starting time, and as a young patron mentioned, apparently an on-time start is appreciated: “They’re 5 minutes late,” he muttered, looking at his phone
The show COIN was ostensibly 5 minutes late to was a sold-out gig at (le) Poisson Rouge opening for fellow Pop-Rock group Bad Suns. And considering the screams when the band started, I think they’ve been forgiven for their truancy.
Usually, bands expand their repertoire and change over time. Their album could be inspired by experience by specific event or a mission. It could be a new musical directions.
COIN alternatively seems to have studied their market (young girls in their 20’s), their fellow pop artists (1975 and DNCE seems like likely contenders for inspiration) and delivered the perfect combination of music, looks, and movement to attract them. They’ve ingested n the “youthful enthusiasm” (as one concert goer called it) presented in front of them, and transformed it into their performances and songs.
And it works. Exceptionally well, particularly if measured by the number of squeals from girls in the front row.
Of course, it helps when main singer jumps into the crowd too. Every time Chase Lawrence smoothed back his air, the more the audience yelled.
COIN, at this point, is basically a perfect boyfriend. Their lyrics and songs prove this to be true.
- “I Talk Too Much” (Finally, a guy who’s willing to admit a problem)
- “I Don’t Know How to Dance With You” (It should be pointed out that considering their dance moves, this was highlight unlikely. So humble!)
- “I Can Wait For You If You Want Me To” (Swoon.)
- The bassist was wearing a Cubs hat (Ok, fine, that wasn’t a lyric, but clearly, if you wanted to be someone that was devoted, or now, a winner, he was showing it).
They also happen to be talented boyfriends, particularly under lead guitarist Joe Memmel, whose solos and fills were the highlight in terms of their instrumentation.
One riff happens to be the driving force in “Talk Too Much” and every moment the band took to jam was appreciated.
As COIN dived into their song “Fingers Crossed,” a multitude of hands demonstrating their, well, crossed fingers, flew into their air.
And one couldn’t help but wonder if their fingers were crossed for the song … or for a date.
Photo Credit: Zachary Gray
