Deerhoof played Empty Bottle w/ Sad13 & Lily and Horn Horse (pics, review)
Legendary Chicago venue Empty Bottle continued their streak of killer shows celebrating their 25th anniversary on Sunday (10/1) with Deerhoof, bouncy pop Sadie Dupuis solo project Sad13 and totally captivating weirdo-pop act Lily and Horn Horse. The sold out show was definitely packed with Deerhoof diehards, most of them bobbing along to the respectively weird and more traditional pop of the opening acts before absolutely losing it for the headliner. I can't recommend the triple bill, who are touring together, enough.
There are so few bands at their level that are so unapologetically weird and still so charming and overwhelmingly fun as Deerhoof. Their live shows are pure energy, every member of the band plays off the others perfectly and the simple stage set up manages to make every show feel intimate. Drummer Grag Saunier's energy and banter with bassist Satomi Matsuzaki drags you in and makes you feel like you're just watching your friends go for their biggest rock star moves at a house show.
I've always been a fan of Sadie Dupuis' output with Speedy Ortiz, but there's something so charming about the general lack of angst and wealth of energy that comes with a Sad13 show. The room had pretty much filled up by the time they busted out "Get A Yes," and it seemed to woo even the most bored looking members of the audience into dancing. Dupuis' mention that the Empty Bottle always has the friendliest drunks as in intro to the song probably helped a bit as well.
Opening duo Lily and Horn Horse were a complete surprise to me. I had no idea what to expect after listening to their recorded material but I definitely wasn't let down. They came with an absolutely massive setlist -- literally, it was a five-foot scrap of butcher paper -- that was sadly cut one song short, and I counted at least three different horns in use during their set. Lily split her time between bouncing around to the sequenced songs both on stage and in the crowd, to try and get people moving. It was fun, it was weird, and it was a great way to warm up for the experimental band they were opening for.
Remaining Deerhoof tour dates with Sad13 and Lily and Horn Horse are listed below...
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Deerhoof – 2017 Tour Dates
10/05 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls #^
10/06 – Ithaca, NY @ The Haunt #^
10/07 – Brooklyn, NY @ Villain #^
^ w/ Lily And Horn Horse
# w/ Sad13