This past Thursday, I caught Brooklyn-based Lo-Fi Indie-Rock outfit, Frankie Cosmos at her sold out show at the Echo. Opening acts included female-fronted performances—solo acts of Anna McClellan and Yowler, as well as Frankie Cosmo’s keyboard/vocalist’s band, Eskimeaux.
Lately, the Echo has been one of my favorite concert venues, and I prefer it even over its larger step-sister, the Echoplex, because I’m almost always guaranteed a spot right up front. There was an unexpected guest on the stage shortly after I arrived, Anna McClellan, who was joining the tour just for the night. Sporting an overall maxi dress and oversized glasses, I wasn’t the least bit surprised when she mentioned she was from Omaha. She opened the show with some blues-inspired piano playing and belting vocals, and was joined by Greta Kline (Frankie Cosmos) and band for her final song. Yowler took the stage next, laying down her solo guitar set with the audience. Her voice was probably one of the strongest of the group that evening, and her performance had some beautiful moments, such as singing “let it go, let it go” angelically over her guitar.
Eskimeaux brought some much needed energy to the show following the softer opening acts. Their set was a lot of fun to watch with folk-inspired indie music and heavy drumming over the singer’s soft voice. Lead singer, Gabrielle Smith, joined Frankie Cosmos on stage after her set to sit in on keyboards and backup vocals.
Frankie Cosmos took the stage an announced off the bat that she’d be preforming songs off her latest album, Next Thing, followed by songs off her older EP, Fit Me In, which actually contains some of my favorite songs of hers including “Young” and “O Contest Winner.” Her nonchalant attitude on the stage came across as a little more cool than the self-proclaimed awkward nature of the opening acts. During one song, “I’m 20” she had guest dancers from Girlpool on stage to assist with some upper-body choreography, which lasted not even long enough for me to take out myphone and record it, but was nonetheless a fun addition to the set. Nearing the end of her performance, Greta shared with the audience that her boyfriend in NY had gone to sleep already. This appeared to slightly distract her during the remainder of her set, as the quality in her vocals went down a little bit, and she spent much of the time on the floor, singing lifelessly. Regardless, the crowd responded with enthusiasm when she performed and closed the show with “Young” and “O Contest winner” back-to-back.
Overall, I really enjoyed this show, despite the youthful angst that surfaced from Greta toward the end of the night. I love that she really “fit herself in” to the opening acts, both performing with and showing appreciation for her fellow female performers. There was an air of solidarity amongst the performers and audience members that evening, as they cheered on the singers even harder when they “messed up.” This is everything I like to see when attending an intimate show—support, community, humanity, appreciation, and compassion.
Indiecation 