Passion Pit are in town this week playing two shows, both of which are now sold out which is hardly surprising given the growing success of this Massachusetts based 5. While it is unfortunate that I am unable to attend either of these two shows, I was lucky enough to see them live in New York back in May and with their arrival in the city only hours away, there is no better time to share all.
Passion Pit were formed in 2007, I first discovered them in 2009 and the more I have listened to them the more they have grown on me. They have such a distinct sound; there isn’t really anyone else like them. I have to admit the first time I heard them I wasn’t blown away, but I couldn’t help being drawn in by the unique electro/pop sounds that emerged from my earphones. Passion Pit deliver such upbeat and energetic songs that are catchy without being too overwhelming. This music is fun and just makes you want to grin from ear to ear, although underneath that are some pretty somber lyrics: “I’ve never lived without his sad and jealous eyes’ / ‘Cos tonight there’s a way I’ll make light of my treacherous life’.
Rumour has it that the Chunk of Change EP was the result of a home made Valentines Day gift for lead vocalist Michael Angelakos’ then girlfriend – he started creating it as a solo project using whatever technology he had to hand, including the built in microphone on his laptop. Three years later Passion Pit are playing sold out shows and are gathering quite an international fan base.
On May 14th Passion Pit played a free secret show in Tribeca, NYC, releasing clues to the venue over 3 days via their website and Twitter page. Only the first 300 people to get there were permitted entry and then the doors were closed. I was one of those 300 people and after having seen Passion Pit play in England a few months back I was more than happy to sit and queue for a couple of hours.
The performance really was electric, only contributing to the already adrenaline fuelled excitement of the secret location countdown and scramble to get there. They played a full set and really gave it their all, Passion Pit are as energetic as their songs on stage and really interacted with the crowd; there was a buzz in the air, only helped along further by the free bar. There really was no better way to spend a sunny Friday evening; only in New York would you get such a quality show with such an intimate crowd absolutely free. I really did feel very lucky to be there, as I’m sure did Passion Pit who are now a far cry from the college dorm room where it all began.
Passion pit are playing Prospect Park’s Bandshell, Brooklyn, Tuesday June 29th and Governors Island, NY, June 30th.
See http://www.passionpitmusic.com/events for more tour dates.
