Mates of State, Free Energy: Concert Review and Photos

With doors opening at 5:00 p.m. (yes, 5), The Echo already had a mass line awaiting husband and wife team from Connecticut of Mates of State. As the all ages crowd filled up the tiny venue, we were in for some fun surprises. Even though the circus was not in town, we were highly entertained by Andrew Goldenhersh (a comedic magician), Michael Carbonaro, an unbelievable trickster on the eyes while using shaving cream on his body (you had to be there), and pee-my-pants comedian Nick Thune.

With the crowd already in a fab mood, Philly-based Free Energy maintained the positive vibes playing most of their 2010 debut album Stuck On Nothing, which was produced by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy himself. Frontman, Sprangers, knows how to work the crowd with eye contact and smiles. Hair-a-flying all over the stage, guitars being played like they should, and rocking the 70s vibe, they are a breath of fresh air in the dominant melodic scene going on.

Spirits were so high when Kori Gardner and husband Jason Hammel started setting up with her on keyboards and him on her immediate left on drums. When I checked who they were covering on their new album, Crushes (The Covers Mixtape), I was elated in finding covers of bands such as Belle and Sebastian, Girls, Tom Waits (my personal fav of the night). Gardner and Hammel invited us in with their popping melodies, taking fans through their catalog and ending with an encore of “Offer,” “Sleep The Clock,” and “Will Dare.” It was also a family affair tonight. Children in tow, their adorable daughter charmed us by having the courage to get up on stage and sing with her parents. On the last song “Goods,” previous acts joined them on stage leaving everyone with a smile on their face.

Check our photos out below!

Review and photography by Debi Del Grande