The other night, I had the honor of seeing Parquet Courts perform at the Showbox Theatre, with Thurston Moore opening.
Well first of all, I need to the address the magical experience which was seeing Thurston Moore, the singer, songwriter, and guitarist of the phenomenal band Sonic Youth, open for Parquet Courts. That’s a tough act to follow. Thurston Moore’s punk rock sound ricocheted throughout the sea of middle-aged men and women, all throwing their fists in the air and nodding their heads. Like I said, tough act to follow.
Thurston Moore at the Showbox
Finally, at the late hour of 11 PM, Parquet Courts walked on stage, ready to start their hour and a half show of sweaty, art punk songs that pounded throughout the Showbox. Austin Brown and Andrew Savage provided a distinctly booming vocal sharpness to each song, as Sean Yeaton violently shook his head back and forth in rhythm with the bass. Standing in the back, I witnessed the development of exhilarating mosh pits, where energized fans jerked their bodies amongst the others, bellowing out the lyrics and cavorting within the mere centimeter of space separating one mosher from the next.
Starting with songs such as “Total Football”, “Dust”, and “Ducking and Dodging”, Parquet Courts introduced the raucous resonance of their voice and strident melodic instrumental harmony. They are fast, passionate, and strong. But best of all, when performing on stage, they are all in unison, showcasing their attachment and determination—determination to have their affinity for music bleed, shine, and sparkle. After a few songs, Parquet Courts requested the ceiling to be lit with its glimmering blue light. They wanted their show to be accompanied by a view, as they put it, and so they got it. A good chunk of the show consisted of the band nonchalantly discussing televisions shows like Boston and Fraiser, the Seattle-based television show. The band held the ability to manipulate the crowd’s reaction, in any shape or form and it make the experience even more engaging and lively.
While they recently released their album, MILANO with Karen O., the beautifully seductive singer and vocalist of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, she sadly didn’t make it to the performance, but Parquet Courts made up for it as they added an original spin to their music. Their live renditions of the music they create possesses a certain nature to it that the recorded versions only touch the surface of. Whether it was the jagged propulsive beats projected from the stage or the dynamic guitar riffs that echoed throughout the seductive, yet heavy vocals, Parquet Courts proved their stunning prowess. The preconceived notions I held in regard to Thurston Moore being a tough act to follow, were without a doubt true, but Parquet Courts overcame that difficulty.
My personal favorite songs performed throughout this concert were “Dust”, “Borrowed Time”, and “Dear Ramona”. But all songs gave the crowd—myself included—the adrenaline rush often searched for. It traveled through our bodies and hit our hearts and heads. Parquet Courts bring dignity to the genre, an American indie rock, punk, feverish rage, they are immersed in, while simultaneously creating their own genre.
It was a night of hardcore rendering and expressive, unapologetic melodies that worked their way into our personal associations. It was unforgettable.
EMMA WEAVER | KXSU Music Reporter