The crowd gathered at Richmond’s Canal Club was calm, but visibly excited, waiting to see Brooklyn dance/punk group Matt and Kim perform on Thursday. The room was dim, except for the stage, which glowed a dark blue. The crowd was diverse and the venue was open to all ages, allowing all Matt and Kim fans to enjoy the show.
The crowd hovered at the edge of stage, filled with anticipation. People were drinking and socializing as they waited for the show to start. Everyone crowded in around the small stage as the sound crew set up equipment, cheering each time the technician came onto the stage, in hopes that it woul
d be a band member.
The opening act, upcoming rapper Donnis, took to the stage to p
rep the crowd for the main event. “We don’tneed no water, let the mot
her fucka burn!” screamed the rapper as he threw ice-cold water onto the crowd.
The calm-and-collected crowd slowly began to turn into the slam-fest from Hell, as audience members threw their bodies recklessly into each other.
Donnis performed his hit “Gone” as Kim Schifino (from Matt and Kim) appeared on-stage, showing off her dance moves while Donnis noted that “Gone” is one of Kim’s favorite songs. After Donnis’ set, it was finally time for Matt and Kim to play.
When Donnis left the stage, the stage crew came out and ripped down what the crowd had thought was the set, only to reveal a more retro looking scenebehind. It was covered in shimmery streamers and several light panels, with a drum set and keyboard was labeled “Matt and Kim.”
Things got up-close and personal as Schifino and bandmate Matt Johnson took the stage, Johnso
n hopping on his keyboard and Schifino taking the drums. They started the show off with their new single, “Lessons Learned.” The crowd went bonkers and the slam-dancing turned into a full-on mosh pit. It resembled a violent game of human ping- pong, but was all in name of good fun.
Schifino demanded crowd surfing, and the fans went above and beyond her request. Throughout the entire show, people were being lifted into the air and onto the stage. The security crew was ready, waiting onstage to help the fans back into the crowd.
At some point, the show transformed from performance to party, at the band threw out “Matt & Kim” balloons for the crowd to blow up. On their command, the crowd tossed all the balloons into the air and began batting them all over the venue.
The band showed lots of love for their fans’ support, yelling appreciative comments between songs.
“Thank you Richmond, Virginia! You are the solution to all the world’s problems!” yelled Johnson.
The show only got wilder as Matt and Kim perform hits older hits and fan-favorites like “Lightspeed,” and “Yea Yeah,” from 2006’s Matt and Kim, and “Don’t Slow Down,” and “Cuttdown” off their sophomore record, Grand.
Though Matt and Kim are known for their indie jams, they also mixed in a lot of old school hip-hop classics. Between originals, the group did covers of ODB’s “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” and Biz Markie’s “Just a Friend.”
“Richmond, you got what I need!” Johnson sang to the crowd.
They incorporated other genres into the show as well, with their rendition of reggae/dance hit “Pon de Floor” by Major Lazer. During the song, Schifino stepped into the crowd, onto her fans’ hands and began to do a booty dance. A fan, obviously inspired by Kim’s dance, threw her bra on stage and Johnson jokingly draped it across the microphone as he began to play “Silver Tiles.”
The group continued their cover-heavy set with 80’s pop classic, “The Final Countdown” and the techno song “Better Off Alone,” during which, Johnson climbed onto his seat, stood on one leg, and continued to play his keyboard.
“I’m so fucking stoked that my family is out here going hard!” Kim yelled admirably to her fans.
The last song was dedicated to everyone who was having a tough day, week, or even year, giving the crowd the opportunity to “shake it out.” It was Matt and Kim’s feel-good, smash- hit, “Daylight.” The crowd went wild, dancing all over the place and into the night, enjoying the good vibes.
by Manhatten Royal & Mia Burnside
(Via www.thehornrva.com)
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