Virtually all bands come from humble beginnings, but some were just meant for the limelight – performing with such bombastic intensity that they make more sense on large arena stages than intimate clubs. For most of these groups, the climb to stardom is a long, strenuous one, but for some the rungs were placed in such a way that they find themselves near the top in no time. One of those bands is Fitz and The Tantrums.

While wading through the sold-out crowd at Los Angeles’ Wiltern Theater on Saturday night, I just couldn’t believe that the neo-soul/indie pop sextet played its first show at Hollywood’s Hotel Cafe a mere five years ago. Singer Michael Fitzpatrick felt similar sentiments as he modestly thanked the crowd over and over throughout the band’s 90-minute set, admitting the band’s beginnings playing shows at clubs like The Satellite and The Echo. But as soon as the first note rang out in the old theater, it was clear that all of the band’s successes were well-deserved.

Fellow vocalist, Noelle Scaggs, acted as a hype woman in between belting out verses. “Come on L.A., we want you to get loud!” she’d scream, and the crowd would always oblige. Fitz And The Tantrums’ set focused on tracks from their recently released sophomore album (debut on Atlantic Records), More Than Just A Dream, including its latest radio single, “Out Of My League,” but the band also sprinkled in gems from its 2010 acclaimed freshman effort and covers of the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This),” and more surprisingly, The Raconteurs’ “Steady As She Goes.” No matter what song they were playing, Fitzpatrick and Scaggs fed off each other’s energy, taking time to strut across stage and sing face-to-face. They emitted their good vibes into the crowd, which boogied along with the band song after song.

Though the new songs garnered a strong reaction from the crowd, nothing could compare to the enthusiasm behind “Moneygrabber.” Since it was the band’s first hit single, the audience burst into a frenzy as the six-piece began its encore with the lauded tune. Fitz And The Tantrums embark on a series of headlining shows this summer before jumping on the supporting slot for Bruno Mars. At first I thought this was a slightly odd matchup, but these cats have soul. And who knows, a few years down the road Bruno Mars could be opening for Fitz And The Tantrums.

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