The Los Angeles band delivered familiar hits and fresh tracks from its brand new album during a Grand Rapids tour stop on Sunday night, demanding to see fans’ “dance skills.” (Review, photo gallery)
Fitz and The Tantrums brought the crowd to its feet on Sunday night without saying a word when they finally graced the stage at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
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But the indie-pop/soul band from Los Angeles made it very clear it wanted the sold-out audience to do far more than that for the next two hours.
“We do not accept standing around like wallflowers,” said the Tantrums’ vibrant frontman Michael Fitzpatrick. “We’re gonna see who has dance skills and who don’t!”
The six-piece blazed and danced through its stacked set of previous hits like the nostalgic “Out of My League,” which featured a surprise saxophone solo, and “Fools Gold,” as well as most of the band’s brand new self-titled album released just over two weeks ago.
Standout numbers from the new studio album like the rousing and funky “Roll Up” and “HandClap” ignited the crowd into twisting, clapping and arm-swaying as the band enjoyed itself on stage, amid colorful lights that mimicked the beats of the music.
‘ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL,’ FEEL-GOOD ATMOSPHERE
As the more somber track “Run It” began, Noelle Scaggs — or more appropriately, the “Boss Lady” and fellow Tantrums vocalist — held up her hands to form a heart and the eager crowd followed suit.
That kind of interaction was common throughout the night, with audience members – many of them clearly long-time fans – dancing playfully with their friends and children, creating a warm and special feel-good atmosphere that’s often difficult to find at indoor shows.
“This is my first concert at Meijer Gardens and it’s absolutely beautiful,” said Tantrums fan Heidi Brodovsky, who danced and sang along with her children the entire performance.
Both Fitz and The Tantrums and opener Finish Ticket reveled in the beauty of the amphitheater, thanking the audience for its warm and welcoming response.
Finish Ticket, an indie-pop/rock group from California making its first visit Grand Rapids, launged the evening with lead singer Brendan Hoye belting away on the band’s original music and finishing up with a driving cover of “When You Were Young” by The Killers.
PHOTO GALLERY: Fitz & The Tantrums
Photos by Anthony Norkus