Photos thanks to: Nick Dahl.
Substance presents Manifestation featuring Sage Francis.
March 27th, 2009
First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
Substance brought together a great show Friday night. In addition to Sage Francis, the lineup also included DJ Verb-X, The God Damn Doo Wop Band, Cecil Otter, B. Dolan, Building Better Bombs, and a number of spoken word artists, speakers, and videos throughout the night.
Sage Francis rolled out a much anticipated set at the end of the night, but what really caught my attention was Cecil Otter who spun his crafty lyrics from the extended stage. A Solid, heavy feel. Flows like mercury.
Following Cecil Otter was B.Dolan who began by warning the audience of shape shifting political lizards, and proceeded to blast Eye of the Tiger while donning Evil Knievel garb to make a historic leap over a stage monitor. Quite the performance.
The God Damn Doo Wop Band was present, laying down a set glazed with 3-part harmonies and melodies that romanticized the feeling of a high school dance. The simplicity and innocence of their music is something to be cherished in an era where albums show up to junior prom with over done glitz and glimmer that clouds their message.
Building Better Bombs delivered a loaded performance that ignited a lot of energy in the venue inciting some mayhem on the dance floor and satisfying the hardcore/punk niche of the crowd with grindy guitars and screams carrying some interesting vocal effects. Intense.
