Los Angeles – Last December, the Ohio dance-pop act Walk The Moon released their second major label album Talking Is Hard. Since the release, they’ve been popping up everywhere, including on late night variety shows such Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. I reviewed the record for Best New Bands calling it the “quintessential college anthem record.” Months later as the record has percolated inside my mind, I’ve come to realize there’s no other mainstream act creating such memorable pop songs like Walk The Moon.

On Thursday night at the Hollywood Palladium, I was once again reminded just how catchy every song is in their assemblage. Was there a song within 16 performed tracks you couldn’t sing along to? The answer was no. Nicholas Petricca (lead vocals), Kevin Ray (bass), Sean Waugaman (drums) and Eli Maiman (guitar) have just embarked on their headlining tour in support of Talking Is Hard. It was a sold-out event with the most fervent group of people at a show in recent memory. Many of the males in attendance were sporting face paint which correlates to the band’s “Anna Sun” single from their 2012 record.  Die-hard fans were in Los Angeles that night and they went absolute bonkers for Walk The Moon. With neon lights in the background, a crisp, wall-to-wall sound present, and an extraordinary energy level never ceasing, Walk The Moon tore the roof off in the most entertaining live performance of the year.

The band strolled on stage as the theme song for Disney’s The Lion King played through the speakers. From the sounds of those seeing Walk The Moon for another go ‘round, this must have been a familiar entrance. They started off with “Different Colors,” the opening track off Talking Is Hard. Right from the beginning, the dynamism was in full force and everyone was spellbound by the quartet. While the tune may lyrically touch upon social commentary, Walk The Moon doesn’t come off as an ultra serious group. Their music induces escapism in the best possible way.

Next up was “Tightrope” off the self-titled record. It was a crowd pleaser, which was not unexpected. It’s a song that still connects effortlessly with their latest material. Petricca ardently sings every line and you feel this guy is having the best time of his life on stage. “Down In The Dumps” kept the crowd moving. This tune featured Maiman doing a guitar solo that brought cheers and excitement from the audience. “Shiver Shiver,” previously found on their older album is clearly beloved. Everyone was singing the recurring line in the chorus “When you are close to me I shiver.” The night brought everybody together as one. That’s what Petricca wanted since he requested the audience to simmer down momentarily and clear their minds. He had the fans utterly hypnotized by his commands as he went into “I Can Lift A Car.”

With the exclusion of slow tempo track, “iScariot,” which was great in its own right, the night was filled with sparkling sounds, uplifting arrangements, and consistently evolving percussion from song to song. The group brought their A-game with incredible, grand vocals from Petricca, Maiman’s masterful guitar work, Ray’s slick, new wave throwback bass lines, and Waugaman’s madman abilities on the drums.  Everyone’s favorite song of the night was “Shut Up and Dance.” The gleeful hit song was the expected highlight of the concert. The proper final encore track was the playful “Anna Sun” and the crowd was in awe. There’s no denying the raw power Walk The Moon arouses. Their material is pure ecstasy as well as the most addicting resonance there is today. If music were a drug, Walk The Moon would be the highest quality and most demanding one to come by.

Check out the Walk The Moon Facebook page for more dates on their current TALKING IS HARD tour.

Photo by @tdubyat

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Sean Kayden

His father has always been an avid fan of 70s and 80s artists. He introduced Sean at an early age to the likes of many rock groups of that era. In the late 90s, Sean acquired a fondness for the likes of such alternative bands as Smashing Pumpkins, Goo Goo Dolls, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. In high school, he gravitated towards artists like Brand New, Saves The Day, and Fall Out Boy. As Sean entered California State University Fullerton, where he earned his BA in Radio/TV/Film, his music taste expanded to the realm of Broken Social Scene, The National, and Death Cab For Cutie. For as long as Sean can remember, he has always had the desire of launching his own stories that would someday be presented through television, film, and print. This form of expression continuously uplifts his spirit. Sean is a certified TRX fitness trainer and teaches group classes as well.

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