Photographs by Dakota Arsenault.
Not too long ago, retro indie-pop band Fitz and the Tantrums were playing for a bunch of hipsters at small clubs. Thanks to the success of their catchy synth-pop single “Out of My League”, the group catapulted to instant fame, and now everyone wants to join in on the FATT club. The follow-up to their 2010-debut album, Pickin’ Up the Pieces, Fitz & the Tantrums’ 2013 album, More Than Just a Dream is a modern take on classic soul and funk. The combination of powerhouse vocals and vintage-inspired instrumentation paves the way for the group’s electric live tour.
Last night’s show at the Danforth Music Hall should have come with a warning sign. If you weren’t a seasoned FATT member, you were in for a real workout as the singers Michael Fitzpatrick and Noelle Scaggs really thrived on crowd participation. Hoped everyone brought their dance shoes or at least dranked some Redbull before the show. The group kicked off their set with the high-energy track “Get Away” and then followed it up with the equally strong “Don’t Gotta Work It Out.”
Right from the start, you could see the great chemistry between Fitz and Noelle as the two often danced in unison, and relied on each other to keep the crowd energized. The show was a real shimmy and shake, turning the concert into a nonstop dance party. The group performed their infectious pop masterpieces like “Out of My League” and “Fools Gold” – new single. But brought the Motown Sound back with “Breakin’ The Chains of Love” that featured a hot sax solo by James King, and they kept the funk alive with “House On Fire”. And to consummate their live act, FATT did an impressive cover of Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This).
To say you were bored at a Fitz and the Tantrums show would be a huge lie. They are a tremendously fun band to see live, and would definitely change your prospective about a real concert experience. The show ended with a two song encore (“Moneygrabber” and “The Walker”), lots of pink confetti, and very sore but happy feet.
