Lotus
Friday, March 15 at The National
If there were ever an EDM video game (which actually doesn’t seem too implausible these days), Lotus would most likely provide the soundtrack. Their distinct sound reminds me of the fast paced, dark electronic dungeons of Super Mario, the jamminess of Sonic The Hedgehog, and even the chilled out bliss of Donkey Kong Country.
Lotus
Friday, March 15 at The National
If there were ever an EDM video game (which actually doesn’t seem too implausible these days), Lotus would most likely provide the soundtrack. Their distinct sound reminds me of the fast paced, dark electronic dungeons of Super Mario, the jamminess of Sonic The Hedgehog, and even the chilled out bliss of Donkey Kong Country. The Lotus show at the National last Friday was just like a video game–only add a little more DDR and take out the ominous bosses. Many were delighted when this show was originally announced to learn that not only would Lotus be coming through Richmond on their spring tour, but that they would also play two nights! Richmond was the only city that Lotus was playing two nights–other than hippie mecca Boulder, CO, obviously. Having seen Lotus multiple times at the National in the past, it was not hard to tell that they have a great time playing in our city.
Their music is infectious and groovy, and the crowd at the National on Friday night were indeed groovin’. Lotus’s vibes permeated through the air as the ecstasy did through the crowd, and judging by the look on everyone’s face, both were good. Lotus seems to have stepped into the shadow of the lesser-known and now defunct New Deal, with their elongated instrumental electronic performances. Now Lotus is at the forefront of the “livetronica” scene; a term coined so the people would have something to call this new genre of jazz-funk-dance-jams.
Friday night’s set included a handful of songs from their newest album, Build, which is an attempt to expand their sound. The album is full of exotic samples, some hip-hop stops, and (oh no!) even a few dubby wobbles. But they still retain their classic sound as guitarist Mike Rempel shreds through it all, bringing the smooth, Weather-channel-esque guitar riffs that have become the signature of their sound.
As I looked back into the crowd, every face had either a smile or an open mouth; eyes gazing into oblivion. The light show accompanied the music with perfect precision, and I was soon told to look up. The ceiling was covered with a crazy light show of its own, which was quite a spectacle in the majestic National. I spent the rest of my night caught up in the dance, then caught up in the ceiling, then the music, and back and forth until it came to an end. Their set culminated in a magical encore in which they played “Caywood”, a happy, heady-bobby mind-easer; and “Hammerstrike”, a dancey, jammy crowd-pleaser.
Everyone came out of the National as if stepping out into reality from a long dark session of Skyrim. Nobody wanted the show to be over, and people set out to find a number of alternative ways to make the feeling last ‘til sunrise. Luckily, the biggest fans had another whole day to look forward to. The rest slumped home to our beds.
Words by Will Hooper
Images by Ryan Dix
