Atlas Genius @ The Fillmore 11/7/2013

Before the release of their first full length studio album When It Was Now the Australian born and bred  boys of Atlas Genius built a studio from the ground up where they wrote and recorded music for three years before even considered touring as a band.  Since then this (sorta) newbie Aussie Indie band continues gaining popularity in the states with two hit singles "If So" and "Trojans" all over the air-waves and currently on a headlining US tour. I was intrigued when their show at The Fillmore on November 7^th sold-out a couple of hours before doors opened that night. 

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

 

 

Inside, the atmosphere was brimming with an enthusiastic anticipation and when Keith, Michael and Darren hit the stage waving to fans they were met with blissful cheers from the female dominant crowd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basking in a flood of indigo lights and aquatic instrumentals Atlas Genius opened with "On a Day" subtly building up to the climatic chorus. As pockets of fans began to dance, Keith (lead vocals) and Darren (keys/guitar) fed off that energy  while rousing more of it. The repeated rhythmic end of the first song flowed into the relaxed yet up tempo beat of the second song, "If So" igniting the first of many a sing along responses from an apparent adoring crowd.





Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

Singing from his mic on stage left to making his way over to stage right repeatedly and even playing from the photo pit on occasion front man Keith made sure to engage with as much of the sold out crowd as possible.

His first real crowd interaction happened after ending the well harmonized, romantic mood seducing, "Back Seat" when he expressed the band's excitement for playing at the historic San Francisco venue: "We have been excited about this particular show for a very long time so thank very much for coming down."

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

 

The good mood soared as he invited everyone to thank what he called two of the greatest bands ever, openers Family of the Year and Dale Earnhart Jr. Jr. before the start of the  instrumental 5th song of their set.



Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

 

 

Playing a set consisting only of songs off of their only album to date, it was pleasing that Atlas Genius was able to make the most out of limited material. Like when Darren and Michael stepped off the stage leaving Keith to preform an intimate one-on-one performance of "Symptoms"  morphing the otherwise plugged -in some what experimental rock song into a heartfelt, acoustic ballad. Or when they teased  "Electric"  with a guitar heavy intro then extended it with a garage band-esque ending.

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

As a loud applause arose  after "Electric" it took a minute for reactive fans to realize that it was now time to encourage an en core with their clapping as the empty stage was illuminated with violet lights. The transition of applauding in appreciate to encouragement filled The Fillmore with bewilderment but that didn't last long because Atlas Genius reappeared rather fast jumping right into "Centered on You",  a track  reminiscent of another Aussie Indie act, The Temper Trap.

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

 

 

Not surprisingly Atlas Genius saved their  hit single, "Trojans" for last and this placement suited the show genuinely well. It's bubbly melody and it's overall contradicting disposition unexplainably rounded out the whole performance which had balanced high and low tempos so well through out the  night.  Moreover, it felt that fans hadn't been waiting to hear the hit but rather they were elated to hear it live.

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

 

Half way through "Trojans" as fans began clapping along Atlas Genius asked everyone to raise their hands capturing a Kodiak moment of their own and connecting with SF fans once more before the show was over.

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

 

 

Though I do dig listening to When It Was Now when I left The Fillmore that night Atlas Genius had totally won me over. Their hour long set was up beat, light hearted, fun, genuine and the setting accentuated their laid back vibe. 

Atlas Genius has been deemed the band to see in 2013 and after that show I'm happy to say that I agree.

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

SET LIST:

1) On A Day

2) If So

3)When It Was Now

4) Back Seat

5) Instrumental

6) All These Girls

7) Symptoms

8) Don't Make a Scene

9) Through The Glass

10) Electric

 

EN-CORE

11) Centered on You

12) Trojans