Los Angeles — De Lux headlined one of LA’s many weekly free concerts, but Thursday’s performance at Made In LA Music at The Hammer Museum was more than just a live music show; it was a whirling experience for all senses.
Visitors got free reign on the museum grounds, taking in the modern art, flowing alcohol, and the eclectic array of attendees with shameless dance moves. A feeling of community was thick in the summer air, which was only enhanced by De Lux’s Sean Guerin, Isaac Franco, and their musical friends. Each song the post-disco band delivered was with gusto; matching the excitement of the new event.
Guerin and Franco might have baby faces, but the twosome has been perfecting their sound together since their teen years, alongside a rotation of talented instrumentalists. Their debut album, Voyage, is a part post-disco, part post-punk effort that builds upon dance-worthy synths and potty-mouthed lyrics. The production is fantastic and tight on the record, but it translated differently during Thursday’s show. While retaining the album’s 80’s homage, Voyage’s performance had less dazzling sophistication and more of a clattering garage edge. Instead of a smooth blend, the instruments smashed alongside the synths for an iconoclastic result.
“Better At Making Time” is De Lux’s most famous song and it was the highlight of the evening. The song’s extravagant groove–laden bass line, jangling toms, and steely hard drums were enough to make any guest filled with anticipation for the rest of the set. As if the penetrating noise wasn’t enough to keep viewers awake after a long week at the office, the band’s repetition of “Fuck you” on “Sometimes Your Friends Are Not Your Friends” surely did the trick.
“Moments” livened up the crowd even more with its extraterrestrial-like introduction and bouncing melody. The optimism of the lyrics still rang as true as the song’s chiming bells (featured on the album, but missed in the live rendition); however, Guerin’s vocals were bumpy. While they’ve been compared to both bands, De Lux’s live performance had less of the spotless glamorous of Duran Duran and more of the rattling edge of the Talking Heads.
Despite the long notes that cracked and the chimes that were missed, the enthralled audience didn’t mind one bit. The rapt attention of the audience is surely a sign that this is a band on the brink of success. People could have very well ignored the music to study the museum’s collection of intriguing artwork, or they could have scurried to the bar in the back, but they chose to remain suspended in the performance’s punk vibrations from start to finish. Whether they’re packaged in their clean, recorded form or their frayed live rendering, De Lux leaves an impact.
De Lux’s Voyage can be purchased HERE.
The Hammer Museum and KCRW will host three more free summer sessions together. Find out details about their next event HERE.
Ariela Kozin
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