On Tuesday April 11th, El Rey Theater hosted a killer line-up show: Microwave, Oso Oso, Delta Sleep and Mothé.
By the time Mothé got on stage at 7pm, the venue was already close to being full. The band’s energy was exactly what is needed from an opening act to warm up a crowd. Despite a sprained ankle, Mothé kept jumping up and down on the stage, enjoying this special night as this was a hometown show for the band. Mothé proudly expressed their queer identification and expressed frustration over the lack of acceptance they have faced in some parts of the country. They dedicated the song “Photobooth” to the queer and trans community.
The lights went out again at 7:45 and the English math-rock band Delta Sleep took the stage. Despite being a long way from Brighton where the band from, it probably felt like home for them, based on the crowd immediate reaction to the first notes of “Lake Sprinkle Sprankle” or “Camp Adventures”. There was no seducing, no convincing to do as the audience was already conquered. The four musicians showcased incredible talents and performed a few songs from their most recent album Spring Island, released in 2021.
Oso Oso came up next, definitely making themselves at home, decorating the stage with plants and lights. It felt as if they were inviting us into their living room. The band opened with “Computer Exploder”, from their most recent album Sore Thumb and then proceeded to play a variety of songs from their whole discography. Oso Oso slowed down the pace for a personal favorite “Pensacola”, before closing their set with the more upbeat and melodic “gb/ol h/nf”.
The main act, Microwave, finally hit the stage by 9:30 and was greeted by a boiling crowd. The short and slow “Ferrari”, recently released as a single was the opening track. Some lights and videos were projected on the stage and musicians during the show, creating an interesting visual atmosphere. The band played the heavier “Mirrors” next, from their 2019 Death Is A Warm Blanket album. “Work It Out” from their first album Stovall was well received by the crowd and was followed by “Leather Daddy” which turned the floor into a mosh pit. Throughout the setlist Microwave alternates between pop-tainted-rock older songs and more recent material with a grainier/dirtier sound. The four musicians didn’t hold back on the energy they put on stage and delivered an electric set from beginning to end. The band closed the show with “Vomit” before the light turned back on and the audience slowly emptied the theater.
The four acts have been on the road together since mid-March and still have a couple of weeks to go until the final show set to take place in Atlanta, which is home for Microwave.
Microwave’s setlist: Ferrari / Mirrors / But Not Often / Lighterless / Work It Out / Leather Daddy / Carry / Love’s Will Tear Us Apart / Straw Hat / Thinking Of You / Neighbors / Grass Stains / Dull / Keeping Up / Whimper / Circling The Drain / Float To The Top / Trash Stains / Vomit
MICROWAVE
MOTHE
OSO OSO
DELTA SLEEP
Photos + Review by Manuel Gay | Exclusively for Music, Why Not!