The Mowgli’s play to a sold-out audience at the U Street Music Hall on Saturday, April 18, 2015.
In the world of alternative rock, it is hard to overlook southern California band The Mowgli’s. Mixing in just the right amount of folk with alternative rock, and a dash of pop, the seven musicians have created a sound that is just fun. Fresh off the release of their second major-label album Kids In Love, The Mowgli’s performed with Night Riots and Hippo Campus at the U Street Music Hall in Washington on Saturday night.
U Street Music Hall was the perfect venue for this performance, providing intimacy and a little edge to the show. The Mowgli’s took to the stage at 9 p.m., opening with the song “Kids In Love.” The seven band members on that tiny stage seemed crowded, yet they still found a way to dance around, seemingly unfazed by the cramped space in which they were performing. The crowd was a diverse mix of people, ranging from a boy who couldn’t have been older than 10, to middle-aged (and up!) parents who were chaperoning their kids at the concert.
[ READ MORE: The Mowgli’s, Night Riots, Hippo Campus perform as U Street Music Hall ]
The set was bouncy and energetic, with songs predominantly from the new album, but also featuring plenty of songs from a previous album, Waiting for the Dawn. If you haven’t checked out the new album, I strongly recommend you listen to “Love Me Anyway” and “Bad Dream.” These two songs transfer from the album to the stage very well, and while they are not as poppy as the single “I’m Good,” they are super strong songs that demonstrate the flavor and vibe of the album as a whole.
Ending on a three-song high note, the band rocked through “Make It Right,” “I’m Good” and their super hit “San Francisco.” The crowd roared for the closer, which numerous hecklers requested before it was started. The show lived up to the band’s mission of spreading love and kindness to others.
These themes worked past the music as vocalist Katie Earl announced that the tour had a philanthropic purpose as well. At the merchandise booth, they were selling sticker/button packs that would benefit both The Ally Coalition and the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program. The Ally Coalition, founded by designer Rachel Antonoff and the band Fun., works with the entertainment community to provide allied support for LGBTQ equality, and the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program works to reduce stigma about suicide and making suicide prevention accessible to everyone.
Hippo Campus and Night Riots both brought their own style to the show — creating a diverse lineup. Hippo Campus brought pop-surf tones and high energy that was matched only by their live talent. The band looked like a high school band, but performed like seasoned veterans, who just oozed with coolness. Night Riots seemed like a blast from the past. Mix 80s new-wave with The Killers, and you get Night Riots. A dark combination of electronic synths and live instrumentation, they performed an exciting set full of smoke, dancing and nostalgia.
A performance is good only if the crowd has a good time. The band can have a blast and sound great, but if the audience is not into them, the show will flop. The sold-out crowd at U Street Music Hall was smaller than, say, a sold-out crowd at the 9:30 Club, but they filled the venue, and they brought an authentic enthusiasm for all the bands, cheering and dancing to each song. The Mowgli’s and company put on a great show while supporting great causes causes backing them and the crowd loved it.
