Not on the Guest List: Gossip Live at the Wonder

Click to read my Pfork review of the show and ooh and ahh at my photos

Only it's not really my review-most of it was cut and it was minimal to begin with. Plus the word "hot!" (including the exclamation mark) was added, which kinda didn't go there (not that they aren't), so read on. . .

But actually, before I start can we say OH MY GOD!!!! (Click the linked OH MY GOD and you'll be joining me in saying it)

Before the first opening act New Bloods took the stage a very cool song played overhead. I had to know who it was, so I left my spot in front of the stage and made my way to the back to find out. I asked a very familiar looking girl who it was and she replied The Blow. I consider myself pretty familiar with Khaela Maricich's output and this song sounded way electro, so I walked away mildly puzzled over it being the Blow and why the girl looked so familiar.
As soon as I had maneuvered back into my original spot, it instantly dawned on me so I made my way back over.
"Are you in a band?"
"Yeah."
"Are you in Swan Island?"
"Yes."
And our conversation continued. We talked about SXSW and their upcoming shows.
Swan Island opened for the Gossip last time they played the Wonder in September, a show I unfortunately didn't attend.

So-back to the show-NEW BLOODS KILLED! They are from Portland which I can barely believe as they're too good to have not have heard of before. Their take on dance rock has a bit of a ho-down edge to it that's raw and rhythmic- a bit of cross between Sons and Daughters and Holy Hail.

I instantly became obsessed, which I instantly told each of them while waiting in line for the restroom after their set and while buying their 7 inch after the show.
Next up was Reverse Dotty. Perhaps the most memorable part of their set was a few songs in. The lead singer dedicated a song called 'Just Say No' to her grandfather who passed away a few days prior. As she made the dedication a girl in the audience started screaming to her: "You're so hot! I want to have sex with you!" Talk about inappropriate.

The highlights of their set were when they resorted to preprogrammed beats and all sang. When the quintet did that they really excelled and very much channeled the sound of White Rose Movement.
They covered my favorite Daft Punk song 'Face to Face' (which I mentioned in my Lo-Fi-Fnk post) and closed their set doing an intensely cool thing - dancing, striking robotical poses, freezing in place for a few counts in unison, and then starting the 3 steps over again.

Onto the Gossip-

Beth appeared out of the curtains to begin their set. Some guy jumped up on stage a couple songs in to kiss her. Cue awkward moment. She went behind the stage curtains and reappeared when he was gone then forged on.

Brace Paine was in top form - on his toes (literally) and full of unending shoulder shrugs. I remember being captivated by his onstage persona the first time I saw them opening for Sons and Daughters at Glasgow's ABC in late 2005. I remember myself moving closer to the stage to stare at his asymmetrical haircut and sleeves. However, this night my eyes were on Beth pretty much the whole time-and how could they not be? In Glasgow she had been on the defensive, but here, even though she admitted she was nervous from the Wonder stage, she exuded confidence from her voice to her dancing that drew everyone in with the energy of two red bulls consumed before their set.

The show really kicked into gear on their seventh song 'Standing in the Way of Control'. Beth went barefoot and the whole audience was singing the "whoa-oh-ohhs."
From that they went directly into 'Listen Up'. The only Gossip member with a setlist was Hannah who started each song.

Beth began grabbing hands of audience members and pulling them up on stage. I of course jumped right on up. At the end of the song she wanted us all to crowd surf, no one took her up on the offer. Four girls stayed up - one planting a perfect kiss on Beth's cheek. No mater that she sweated her make up off and was wiping her face off with a donated bandana, the lip print stayed perfect for the entire show.
After they played their cover version of 'Are You That Somebody', they stopped, kinda looking like they didn't know where to go next. Then came the chants from the crowd: "Rap! Rap! Rap! Rap!" After about a minute Beth just launched into Timbaland's verse-which isn't apart of their recorded version.

They closed the set with a two song encore, Beth thanking the audience for singing along to the first of the two songs that began with only her and Brace Paine on stage, Hannah coming in about mid-way through the song.
After the show Marisa and I stood waiting to snap some candid pics. While Beth smoked outside we spent the time chatting to Brace Paine and his southern drawl.
Nathan noticed the eye-patch I was wearing on my arm and asked if he could wear it in the photos. Lame pirate jokes ensued after I asked if he knew any, with him continuing to answer mine as he signed autographs for those requesting them.
In case you wannna use some in the near future:
Nathan: "What's a pirate's favorite subject in school?"
Answer ➔ "Arrrggghhh-t!"
I rattled off a string:
Nilina: What did the pirate say on his road trip?
Answer ➔ Arrrgghhh we there yet?
Nilina: What's a pirate's favorite Wayne's World character?
Answer ➔ Garrggghhh-th. Parrrggghhh-ty time X-cellent (as in x marks the spot-yes I have too much time on my hands to have come up with that)

Then we got onto the subject of them playing Perez Hilton's Bday party - ironically the first thing he mentioned was Paris Hilton being there as well as John Stamos.
Oh-and Nathan is "Ready to Uff" (not so long story)
Later, when we got into taking photos my camera was a bit spazzy and I was laughing too hard at their hi-jinks for the photos to turn out good, but what-evs.