On Wednesday night, Los Angeles’ Bootleg Theater moved its event from the main room/bar to its grand theater room, which is usually meant for plays. In the larger space, complete with seating, Here We Go Magic and The Dig were able to spread out during their sets, while the crowd fed off each band’s energy.

Though they were the supporting act, The Dig has been currently blazing a trail through the United States on its inaugural headlining tour. This newfound confidence was evident in the band’s set. The New York-based quartet breezed through its repertoire, focusing on selections from its most recent release, Midnight Flowers. Guitarist/vocalist David Baldwin and bassist/vocalist Emile Mosseri took turns acting as the front man, seamlessly switching spots, instruments, and vocal leads depending on the song. Neither of the musician’s tried to outdo one another, instead they acted as a family, with Baldwin even helping Mosseri with a faulty guitar strap during one of their last songs.

The four-piece was passionate and charismatic as each member moved across the stage, and this energy emanated into the audience. Though most of the night’s attendees were probably there to see Here We Go Magic, they responded well to The Dig’s straightforward brand of New York indie rock and swayed with the beat. By the time the four-piece played its last song, and single, “Black Water,” it had the crowd’s full attention. All eyes were on the band as Baldwin belted out his lyrics, schizophrenically stumbling across the stage while he strategically picked his guitar strings. When the rockers said goodnight and hopped off the stage, swarms of fans, new and old, surrounded them on the floor, congratulating them on a wonderful performance.

With the audience hyped, Here We Go Magic hit the stage, beginning its set with the slow burning “Make Up Your Mind.” Immediately the vibe in the room began to shift.  Though recorded the Brooklyn trio (four-piece live) produces upbeat, dance-inducing indie pop tracks, in a live setting, the mood is much more ambient. Led by guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Luke Temple, the quartet acted more as a jam band onstage, extending the studio versions of its songs and concentrating deeply on each individual instrument.

Though each song was executed meticulously, the crowd fed off the band’s solemnness, and the energy garnered from The Dig’s set quickly drifted away, leaving in its place a crowd full of zoned out, zombie-like bystanders.

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