Set the stage. Blue light sweeps the room while an introductory version of “Kiss From a Rose” by Seal begins to play. The crowd cheers and begins to shuffle in anticipation while Matthew Compton (drums) and their live band (Luke Top on bass, Reese Richardson on keyboard/guitar) get in position to begin playing, erupting in screams and applause when Electric Guest’s frontman Asa Taccone takes the stage. Only it isn’t Taccone, it’s…. Chucky? Due to the show’s proximity to Halloween, the California native decided to dress up like the classic puppet that we all know (and fear). Thankfully, the singer took the mask off after a song or two, putting comfort over the need to unsettle his fans. The band opened with “Get Out”, the eighth track on their third studio album, KIN, released just three weeks prior.
The KIN World Tour kicked off earlier in the week in Seattle and has made its way to Portland for a sold-out show. There was a concern for the concert being postponed by the band due to complications, but they powered through and delivered a performance that would have never even let on that the night was in danger of cancellation. The performance continued with songs from this new album, such as popular track “Dollar”, which is the lead single off of the album. They also played their latest song to receive a music video, “More”, which has already amassed close to 200,000 views on YouTube. Half of the setlist for this tour is new songs from KIN, showing the band’s commitment to share the wonder that this album has to offer to audiences all across the world.
Electric Guest did stay close to their roots though and played their song “Oh Devil”, a track from their previous album, Plural, that made the audience roar in excitement when the opening notes began to play. Rightfully so, as the track has amassed over 40 million plays on their Spotify alone. The duo and their live band truly delivered a show worthy of its sold-out status. The combination of a variety of colors lighting up their every move onstage and Taccone’s sensual dance moves produced a spectacle almost impossible to tear your eyes away from. From jumping on one of the speakers and using it as a platform to sharing priceless anecdotes about his father’s wish for him to “go back to school” after seeing the hotels they’re staying in, the show kept the audience engaged and energized for the whole duration. Electric Guest has numerous companions for this worldwide tour, and Portland had the absolute pleasure of getting to see Wafia open the show.
If you haven’t heard if Wafia, she’s a 26-year-old Australian singer who moves with such comfort and prowess on stage that it is impossible to believe she is so young and not a seasoned performer who has been touring for over 20 years. Wafia graced us with striking new tracks, such as her recently released “Flowers & Superpowers”, a love song (written alongside the ever talented Wrabel) about being paranoid you are too much for the one you love. She still shared a familiar bite of her music with the crowd with her song “Better Not”, a track very obviously made to get your body moving, written and released with Louis the Child a year prior and featured on their EP “Kids at Play”. If you came late to the show, you missed out on a truly incredible performer.
This duo of artists is touring together until they reach Los Angeles and are sharing such an incredible show that they have been taking the West Coast by storm.
Wafia
By: CJ Hueso | Exclusively for @Music, Why Not!
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