Young the Giant

A SiriusXM Exclusive Subscriber Event
A LocalBozo.com Concert Review
The Studio at Webster Hall, New York, NY
January 13, 2014

In just a week’s time, Irvine California five piece band Young the Giant is set to release their sophomore record “Mind Over Matter,” an album that’s been teased with music videos sporadically dropping since October. Long proponents of the band and their self-titled debut album, SiriusXM‘s ‘Alt-Nation‘ channel brought Young the Giant to New York City for an exclusive intimate performance for their subscribers- a show that would stream live on satellite radio. The Studio at Webster Hall was the site for the nearly hour long set which previewed the group’s forthcoming album, intertwined with some of the familiar hits that make the band stand out amongst the fray of other alternative acts.

The small crowd gathered in The Studio space was hardly indicative of the band’s following in New York City, evidenced by their two shows slated for the much larger Hammerstein Ballroom at the end of February. Instead, these were SiriusXM listeners, friends and contest winners all fortunate to be a part of this setting. The group emerged from backstage upon being introduced, casually approaching the small stage. Led by frontman Sameer Gadhia, Young the Giant took fans on an abbreviated but still captivating nine song set that showcased their collective ability to rile up the crowd at a frenzy of fast paced rock but also to croon with a slowed down, relaxed blend of melodic harmonies.

Opening track “Anagram” provided a glimpse of what fans can expect from next week’s release- a vocal-centric rock record that alternates in speed at will with undeniable elements of pop that ultimately yield the sort of feel good results that you’d expect to cull from an upbeat album created by a handful of energetic performers. Whether alternating at his keyboard or striking his black tambourine, its clear Gadhia is fueled by the rest of his mates. The masterful guitar layering of Jacob Tilley and Eric Cannata and the relentless drum smashes of Francois Comtois amid the bass strums of Payam Doostzadeh who helps keep all of the sounds together, produced a wonderfully cohesive sound inside of a venue meant for music to be heard in its most raw form.

The recently released videos for “It’s About Time” and “Crystallized” while excellent, simply don’t do Young the Giant enough justice as they do in as in as diminutive a live setting. Coupled with the likes of “Apartment,” “Cough Syrup” and the electric closer “My Body” which invigorated a respectful but somewhat subdued Monday evening audience, the show itself was an eye opener for this reviewer- a first timer to a Young the Giant show. But even the most reserved fans couldn’t keep it together during the group’s final song- a no nonsense roller coaster of intensity conducted by Gadhia’s frantic eyes and body movements left moving uncontrollably by the song’s up tempo nature. The audience to their credit, followed suit accordingly. Though the release of a new album typically signifies the conclusion of the creative period, it’s clear that the group is excited to get back out on the road and perform some of their brand new material inside of some of the largest venues that they’ve played at to date. And candidly, we can’t wait to see how it turns out.

Fans, if you missed the live broadcast, you can catch the replay available on SiriusXM On Demand and via the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and other mobile devices and online at SiriusXM.com.