The downpour of rain that doused the Queen City Monday evening couldn’t keep the intimate Fillmore Charlotte from filling for the highly anticipated “The Wilderness Politics Tour.” Danish punk-rock trio New Politics and transitioning solo act Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness co-headlined the world tour.
Tennessean Lolo and Aussie indie-rock quartet The Griswolds opened for the two dynamic performers, flawlessly warming up the crowd with their divergent music styles.
Led by lead singer Christopher Whitehall, the Australian four-piece band stepped onto the stage in front of the faithful audience. A pink mist hovered at The Griswolds’ feet as they kicked off their setlist with the second track “Right On Track” from their hit debut album Be Impressive.
The pink-haired Whitehall had the anxious crowd clapping in rhythm with his band’s ever-so-popular song, “16 Years,” widely known for its presence on the FIFA 15 soundtrack. The Griswolds’ groovy melodies pleased the Charlotte crowd.
The Australians exhibited a stage presence beyond their years, impeccably setting the tone for the headliners who waited patiently for their queue down the dimly lit hallway to the right of the stage.
The overhead lights turned off, the music hall flashed to black. Under the sizable New Politics banner draped along the back wall of the stage, multiple red strobe lights beamed out into the crowd, spinning as the illumination colors switched to from a vibrant red to blinding white. The three Danes bombarded the stage as the audience erupted in excitement. Lead vocalist David Boyd jumped into the forefront, waving a red and white New Politics flag as drummer Louis Vecchio, atop his perch, stomped on the foot drum, signaling the band’s opening song, “Everywhere I Go.”
Touring on behalf of their most recent album release, Vikings, New Politics’ setlist predominately consisted of newer songs. However, the band didn’t fail to give the audience what they wanted, performing well-liked, ageless tracks such as “Harlem” and “Tonight You’re Perfect.”
New Politics’ entertainment value was through the roof. Between Boyd’s back flips off Vecchio’s drum set, break dancing and Søren Hansen’s shirtless guitar playing, enjoyment was never amiss.
With three performances in the books, Andrew McMahon’s piano was rolled out into the spotlight. Fake grass rested atop the black lid with an empty fish bowl set in the center. The lights dimmed, a large white banner with the word “Wilderness” penned across the middle was erected in place of the New Politics pennant. The acute lymphoblastic leukemia surviver and former songwriter for the bands Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin strolled onto the stage, carrying oversized balloons. He walked past his piano, dropped a fake fish into the empty iconic fish bowl and sat down on his stool.
McMahon led off the night with the soft song “Rainy Girl” off his self-titled album before taking the audience on a trip 13 years down memory lane performing “I Woke Up In A Car” and “Punk Rock Princess” from his former band Something Corporate.
He was as energetic as could be on stage, stomping on the piano keys to finish off multiple songs and powerfully singing into two microphones. His well known past of piano punk-rock mixed will with his present day soothing, intimate style. His presentation was appealing, satisfying Jack’s Mannequin fans while earning the adoration of a few new fans along the way.
On McMahon’s self proclaimed final song, Lolo, The Griswolds and New Politics emerged from the darkness to party as one before sending the audience back out into the rainy night. The nine performers rocked out on stage together, captivating the audience leaving feelings of fellowship with those who looked on.
After leaving the stage to the crowd’s relentless cheers, McMahon returned to play just what the audience expected, “Cecilia And The Satellite” and “Synesthesia.” During the latter performance, he brought back memories of middle-school gym class handing the crowd a large rainbow parachute that blanketed the audience. McMahon walked off stage and onto the floor to dance and sing with fans under the multi-colored parachute.
Photo by Benjamin Robson
The four acts played over 30 songs which proved not to be enough for the Charlotte crowd, who still applauded for more after four hours of never-ending dancing. The infectious tunes paired with the audience’s gratitude proves just one thing: It won’t be the last time one of these four musical superstars visits the Queen City.
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