OKGO at The Independent 7/16/2014



OKGO @ The Independent 7/16/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

It's hard to believe that it's been four years since fans have heard (or seen) anything from the alternative indie band known for their wildly popular, visually titillating  music videos, OKGO. But, the long wait ended this past May with the release of a four track EP, Upside Out and a subsequent tour as a sort of prelude to the October release of their  fourth studio album, Hungry Ghosts!



OKGO @ The Independent 7/16/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

The Independent was pretty much filled to the brim Wednesday night as excited fans

impatiently waited through the opening DJ set from Myles Hendrik who continuously fed the crowd whiskey and a weird mix of music  (everything from Led Zeppelin, Brittney Spears, Snoop Dogg, Pink Floyd, Die Antwoord and way more).

The packed house nearly exploded when the headliners hit the stage: behind a kaleidoscope of abstract images projected on to a mesh veil hiding the entire stage and the band, the  OKGO show started in true OKGO fashion! Soon enough, the band from Chicago now transplanted to Los Angeles, literally unveiled themselves letting the mesh veil fall to the floor half way into the second song of their set, "You're So Damn Hot".

OKGO @ The Independent 7/16/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

The escalating elation permeating throughout the crowd peaked during the first chorus of "The Writing's on the Wall" when multiple confetti cannons showered everyone with little strips of colorful paper. And then it happened again during the second chorus and again during the third chorus! All of us were standing in at least 3 inches of confetti by the time the third song was over and all of us were definitely having a blast!

OKGO @ The Independent 7/16/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

Front-man Damian Kulash, was all about connecting with and engaging fans when he wasn't singing:  casually sharing stories in form of conversation, going into and performing in the crowd, he also offered opportunities for a quick Q&A between songs. Charmingly quick with his wit when the first question, "We've missed you! Where have you been?!" was shouted out, he pointed out that it was dangerously close to being a statement.  He went on to candidly explain that writing and recording an album takes about two years, that the dope OKGO music videos take anywhere from 7 weeks to 6 months to make and that bassist Tim Nordwind, got his pilot license therefore he couldn't do anything for 7 months during that process.

SF fans were treated to brand new songs from the upcoming album, one of which found Tim on lead guitar instead of his usual bout on the bass and the new tunes had people dancing just as much as songs from past albums did.  As loud power pop engulfed The Independent, there few instances of glaring feedback and crackling audio which understandably annoyed Kulash but only for a second. With a dominating stage presence and whole hearted performance, OKGO's fun loving spirit stretches beyond their lighthearted music when you see them play live. 

OKGO @ The Independent 7/16/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

In addition to having a couple Q&A sessions with fans between songs, at one point they used an audio mixing app on one of their iPhones to record the crowd stomping then clapping and created a one of a kind beat from the show that night. Tim and Damien even  performed a song from Les Miserables while Dan Konopka and Andy Ross tuned up for the next OKGO song. I've never experienced a band having as much  genuine interaction with fans and crowd participation than at the OKGO show. It feels as if you're all friends and makes you feel good.

 

 

OKGO @ The Independent 7/16/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

After playing an acoustic version of "Last Leaf" from the middle of the crowd, Kulash made his way back to the stage to preform  the rest set with the rest of the band.




OKGO @ The Independent 7/16/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

OKGO @ The Independent 7/16/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini










Everyone had to know there would be an en core though because they hadn't played the hit, the one with the treadmills in the music video, "Here It Goes Again", that's what we were all waiting for. OKGO made their fans work for it though and after a few minutes of cheering, chanting and a short video montage of their dope music videos, OKGO came back to the stage!



OKGO @ The Independent 7/16/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

The show ended two songs later, the last of which was "Here it Goes Again" and to say it was much to the delight of show goers that night would be putting it extremely lightly. OKGO left me feeling good down to my bones and I left the show smiling, a smile that stayed on my face until I went to sleep. I had no idea OKGO would be so great and uplifting live!

OKGO @ The Independent 7/16/2014
Photo by Nikki DeMartini

OKGO set-list 7/16/2014

1) Upside Down, Inside Out
2) You're So Damn Hot
3) The Writing's on the Wall
4) I Won't Let You Down
5) I Want You So Bad I Can't Breathe
6) Obsession
7) This Too Shall Pass
8) There's A Fire
9) Last Leaf
10) Get Over It
11) I'm Not Through
12) Do What You Want
13) White Knuckles
14) SkyScrapers
15) Turn Up The Radio

EN CORE
The One Moment
Here It Goes Again