Passion Pit + Matt & Kim is a dynamite combo
by JavaJones on 3/17/13Bill Graham Civic Auditorium - San FranciscoRating: 4 out of 5OK, I'll admit it, I came at least as much for Matt & Kim as I did for Passion Pit. I've seen Matt & Kim before and they were amazing, one of the funnest shows I've been to. I like Passion Pit quite a bit, but had a pretty bad view during Outside Lands, so I wanted to get a chance for a better show. I'd say Passion Pit delivered, but Matt & Kim still stole it for me.
Matt & Kim played about a 45 minute set, and their consistent enthusiasm and great crowd interaction really makes them fun to see live. They were as good as the last time I saw them about 6 months ago, where they were the headlining act. It's hard to believe it's just the 2 of them. Super catchy, dance-able songs, and boundless enthusiasm. Irresistible.
Passion Pit played about an hour and 15 minutes, a bit short, and only a 1 song encore. I suppose they actually have technically less material than Matt & Kim at this point, so perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that their set wasn't that much longer. They certainly played all the hits, and nailed them I'd say. The lead singer has a good stage presence and a pretty amazing voice. These days you sometimes can't help but assume some incredible vocals are just studio production, but he's the real deal, with a wide range that tops out in the almost cartoony highs that drive a lot of their crescendos and choruses. The other band members are pretty subdued, I'd like to get a bit more energy off them, but they did their jobs just fine.
I did really enjoy their set, but honestly I think after how exuberant Matt & Kim were, and dancing my ass off for every single one of their songs, it was hard to go anywhere but down. I wasn't disappointed in Passion PIt by any means, I think they did a great job, but they just didn't blow me away like M&K did (again). Maybe that just means I'm a way bigger Matt & Kim fan than a Passion Pit one.
I should also mention that, like many venues, the Bill Graham Civic sound system gets a bit muddy with a larger number of instruments. Matt & Kim is just 2 people with some underlying drum/synth loops, and they sounded pretty darn good. Passion Pit had 5 + people playing at any moment, along with underlying loops I think, and sometimes it was much less clear. This is common for many venues it seems, The Fox is probably the worst of the big venues, but it's worth noting here too.
So basically, Passion Pit put on a great show given their current amount of material. They will no doubt put on longer and more epic shows as they mature. If you're a big fan of their music, you will love seeing them live. And if you're not already a fan of Matt & Kim, if you get a chance to see them opening for Passion Pit, GO. And if not, check them out anyway!