BY EVENTSEEKER STAFF
D.C. went off last Saturday with three impressive groups. Starting off the night was New Beat Fund, igniting the Fillmore Silver Spring with intense energy. They lasso’d in the crowd with charisma and a performance that can only resemble the build-and-thrash moments of Blink 182 (yes, they’ve toured with them too). “Peachez” and “Scare Me” shook the venue and reminded the crowd – hey, welcome, now dance and get act like you’re alive.
The second band to hit the stage was RDGLDGRN, an emerging trio that has perfected its indierock and go-go vibe. Go-go, the distinctive Washington D.C. homegrown beat, is an endearing one. A subgenre of funk that blends R&B, lo-fi and hip-hop, go-go is poppy as it is deep; during live shows, it tends to bank on the well-known call and response dynamic to amplify its X-factor. RDGLDGRN has just that – some mysteriously captivating sound between The Roots and an indie-rock-pop group.
The Virginia natives caught attention after their self-produced YouTube video of their single, “I Love Lamp,” went viral. The single was also named after a line from Steve Carell in Anchorman, so you know they’re as cunning and witty as they are talented. Shortly after “I Love Lamp” blew up, RDGLDGRN recorded their first full-length album with producer Kevin Augunas (The Lumineers, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes) at Sound City Studios. The guys even roped in David Grohl to drum for most of the record, and have been picking up speed since. Their live performance blew away already expectant fans, who were jumping just as diligently as the group on stage.
After two enthralling acts, Aer closed out the Fillmore’s night. Bringing their “Fresh Aer Movement” and a sense of polished rap-rock. The Bostonians, like openers RDGLDGRN, know how to meticulously combine rap, reggae, indie rock, funk, and pop without overcomplicating tracks. David von Mering and Carter Schultz, the two Bostonians of Aer, performed as if they had been touring for years – and we can expect they’ll continue for years to come.
This night wasn’t a sprint, it was a marathon. Get a glimpse below.
NEW BEAT FUND
RDGLDGRN
AER
All photos courtesy of Andrew Markowitz.
RELATED LINKS
New Beat Fund Official Website
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