Dragonette, Draggin It @ the Nouveau Casino, February 6.08

This is an unfair post but I am going to make it anyway. It is unfair because I was unbelievably exhausted last night before heading all the way across the city to the concert (I had thoughts in the metro of just getting off and going home, maybe even dreams). So already I was not in the best concert-going spirit. I went because there was string-pulling involved to get me a place and I am continuing with this post because I believe fundamentally in the changing power of music: mentally, emotionally and, yes, even physically. How many times have you heard a song and instantly felt better, less ugly, rejuvenated, or prepared to overtake the most difficult of obstacles (it's not a miracle drug, I know, otherwise I imagine musicians would make much more money than most do).

In addition to exhaustion, through the course of researching Dragonette I came across some of the following pictures.....



so I was anticipating something along the lines of Of Montreal costumes and craziness. Apparently, Dragonette is only wacky on paper.

The singer, Martina Sorbara came out with very large hair and very tight black spandex pants (which you could all see if I had not left my memory card in the card reader instead of my camera, like a dolt). She bobbed lightly up and down for a few songs, and occasionally gestured with her hand what she was singing (like making circular washing motions during the first song). Once or twice she looked like she might have wanted to actually get into it and get her 'groove' on, but that thought seemed to pass quickly.

Luckily, the lighting was amazing. Mostly neon coloured lights shot from behind the stage in zigzags, waves, linear and non-linear patterns. Without this element the show would have been pretty dull. Martina showed that she sings well, which is maybe more of a skill than it sounds in these technologically enhanced production days. Her banter was annoying, and not really directed at the audience as much as the other members of the band. And the songs sounded very, very, similar to one another, which was not necessarily my feeling before going and after listening to the album.

In all fairness, fatigue may have been the only reciprocal emotion as the band was playing the last of a very long line of European dates. In the end I left early, i.e. before the concert ended (which I nearly never do). My advice should Dragonette by passing through your town: save some money, stay at home, turn the music up as loud as you can without compromising the musical integrity, and turn on a lava lamp or two.