Danish ex-pat indie-pop-rock band New Politics played the Newport Music Hall Wednesday night for another in a long line of sold-out CD102.5 low dough shows along side Sleeper Agent and Magic Man.
The show could quite easily of been mistaken for a WNCI Radio show as a mostly underage crowd enthusiastically bounced along to the three bands who barely get a play on CD102.5 these days.
Sleeper Agent opened the show. The bowling Green, KY six piece played a perfectly enjoyable set of car-stereo friendly pop-rock as the band jostled for space on the cramped Newport stage.
Magic Man may have one of the worst band names in modern music but they certainly put on a good show with jump along Passion Pit-esque songs but without the annoying vocals. Lead singer Alex’s commanding presence had the excited crowd jumping to his bands upbeat synth rock.
For a band that feels like it’s been kicking around for years, it’s hard to believe that this is New Politics first headlining tour, but after playing second fiddle to the likes of 30 Seconds to Mars, Fallout Boy and Pink the trio look more than comfortable to be finally taking the spotlight.
The New Politics live experience is certainly an entertaining experience. With loud guitars, break-dancing and body popping, a little bit of crowd surfing and a whole lot of energy the trio looked on fire, but it also feels a little fake as the band looks to be trying a little too hard with semi-fake smiles and lots of talk about how awesome the crowd is that just didn’t quite feel genuine.
But if a live show is all about having a good time then New Politics deliver and they do have some good songs, “Give Me Hope” and “Dignity” proved to be strong opening guitar fueled songs, while the bands current track “Harlem” is a great radio single – I’m just not sure what radio station in belongs on.
Matt Ellis is a freelance photographer who covers bands that visit the city and the Columbus Crew MLS team. More about Matt can be found at Matt Ellis Photography.
