Fanfarlo North American Tour – REVIEW

On their North American tour, Fanfarlo, performed in Chicago at Lincoln Hall with supporting act Gardens & Villa. You can check our review after the break.

Another night, and another show at Lincoln Hall with a band that is sure to blow up soon.  With songs featured in TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy and House, as well as commercials and appearances on late night TV, Fanfarlo are sure to be playing bigger venues and festivals sooner rather than later.  Fortunately on this night the audience was able to enjoy an intimate, sold out show.

Based in London, Fanfarlo are touring the US in support of their new album, Rooms Filled With Light.  The band opened with Replicate, the lead single from the new album.  The next song, Tightrope, sounded like it could have been recorded in the same session as The Arcade Fire’s No Cars Go, which is by no means a bad thing.   By the fourth song, the crowd was yearning for a song from their debut album Reservoir, and the band delivered with an epic version of slow burner I’m A Pilot.  With a darker sound, slower pace and more pronounced trumpet parts  than the recorded version, it really drew the fans in for a while.  Unfortunately, as soon as the song was over the crowd was back to talking.  Having moved around to 3 different spots for 4 songs, I was pretty frustrated.  Despite the band playing well for both new and old songs, much of the crowd only seemed interested in listening to the older songs and talking through the newer songs.  Accordingly, the other highlights were older songs.  The drum and shaker led version of Finish Line and a raucous version of Luna were the most well received songs of the night.  After a quick break, the band came back out for a to song encore that was met by indifference from most of the crowd.   A beautifully understated version of Bones giving way to the horn driven The Walls Are Coming Down should have been a great way to end the night.  With more talkers than I have seen at a concert in a long time, I could not help but feel bad for the true fans and for the band.

Openers Gardens & Villa are also hopefully on track for bigger and better things.  The band has already played South By Southwest and is lined up to play at the Coachella and Sasquatch festivals.  Hopefully they will get on the bill for Lollapalooza as well, or make a return trip for a full set.  The dreamy pop-rock songs feature guitars, bass, drums, synthesizers and even some flutes.  Yes, I said flutes.  Singer/guitarist Chris Lynch has basically a quiver of flutes on his back.  Live, the songs sound like anything from 80’s synth pop, to jammy My Morning Jacket to funky Prince like sounds.  Lynch’s soaring, androgynous vocals compliment the music perfectly. Highlights of the far too short set included Black Hills, Orange Blossom and Star Fire Power.  Black Hills was driven along by chiming guitars, shakers and pounding drums and was probably the biggest crowd favorite based on applause.   Make sure to check out their self titled debut album or better yet catch them at a show.

Information about the review…
Tour: Fanfarlo North American Tour
Bands: Fanfarlo and Gardens & Villa
Date: March 28, 2012
Venue: Lincoln Hall in Chicago, IL