MidPoint quick takes: Thursday

With a stacked lineup, night one of MidPoint Fest offered many schedule conflicts creating some pretty tough Sophie’s Choice moments. 

TAKE 1: SUCKERS

I stopped by the SCPA to check out the buzzed-about Brooklyn quartet Suckers. The auditorium was maybe half-packed with more people trickling in later for next act Mates of States. Before they played, I overheard a middle-aged guy sitting near me saying something like, “I’m going into this blind. They sound interesting and they’re from far away [England],” he said about Joy Formidable, also on my list.

Unfortunately, Suckers went on half an hour late, causing some people to flee to other venues, but those who stuck around got a hell of a performance. The auditorium complemented Suckers’ thumping basslines and, at times, the entire sit-down venue would vibrate with reverb. Each member had at least another instrument next to them – the lead singer managed to play his guitar and a keyboard at the same time.

TAKE 2: JOY FORMIDABLE

When I arrived at Grammer’s for Joy Formidable, they were already half way through their blistering set. The tent was crowded but it was still possible to get close on the sides if you were willing to take on those speakers. For a trio, they certainly made a lot of noise, with platinum blonde singer Ritzy Bryan playing bass and Matt Thomas pulverizing his drumkit.

A slight technical glitch caused the band to pause for a couple of minutes. Bryan joked how she didn’t want to “fill the gap with Matt’s amazing slick wit” before she fixed her bass. “We’re back in business,” she declared, which led to the epic finish of “Whirring,” where they blasted deafening sounds into the universe while two giant inflatable cats sprouted onstage. 

TAKE 3: THE DODOS

After 11 p.m., I walked into the vitaminwater Room at the Hanke Building to get a good spot for the Dodos midnight show. Montreal group the Luyas opened with their idiosyncratic beats as Dodos lead singer Meric Long helped out. It was beginning to feel like a box of sardines, and I find out later that a huge line had snaked around the building and people were being turned away. Since the Dodos didn’t go on till almost 12:30 a.m. (yet another delay), many people must’ve left because the place didn’t seem too terribly packed by the time they played.

They mentioned this was the first time they’ve played Cincy in years. Two drummers carried the show beating tom toms, snares and high hats adding a tribal, frenetic element to the show. On some songs, a vibraphonist generated dulcet harmonies, then a French horn appeared and Luyas singer Jessie Stein popped up, returning the favor.

A brief jam session got the late night crowd clapping along, but by this time, it was screeching towards 1:30 a.m. and it was time for me to go home with my ears still ringing.

With free donuts, vitaminwater and talented acts, the first day went well, but let’s hope there won’t be too many more late starts.

» Who did you love? Who did you discover? Post your take on MidPoint in the comments.