The Institut Polaire EP launch has been sitting on our calendars for what seems like months now, and while the EP itself was certainly worth the wait, the show was not up to the band’s usual standards.
Despite the early start time of 6pm the Rosemount started to fill soon after doors opened, forming a small crowd as Nat Carson (The Bank Holidays) took to the stage for a soothing acoustic set. Working his way through a number of covers, some Banks tunes and some of his own solo efforts, the audience was treated to pleasant performance of folksy, indie, pop songs – just what was needed at this early hour on a Sunday night.
The first full band on tonight’s bill was Faith in Plastics, their lively pop songs drawing a few more in from the beer garden outside. After having their gear stolen a few months ago, the band appeared tonight sporting new, matching red guitars. Adam James (guitar/vocals) sounds something like Johnny Borrell with vocal intonations reminiscent of The Shins’ James Mercer, which is certainly a good sign. The high energy of their melodic pop tunes saw a lot of feet tapping and set the standard for bands to follow.
Following their own album launch last weekend, New Rules for Boats were only too happy to be playing along side longtime friends Institut Polaire for their debut EP launch. The set fell a little flat of the Boats’ usual boisterous performances, but was enjoyable nonetheless. Opening with album track Ten Cent Coins they sauntered through a number of other album tracks. Institut Polaire’s Catherine Colvin joining to play violin for a song or two, just another example of the strong ties between these two bands. The Boats picked up towards the end of the set with rich vocals from Miranda Pollard on 9 Years Old and closing with the single Skips On My Record, much to the crowd’s delight.
Institut Polaire made a decision earlier this year not to play at venues with smaller stages, not surprising considering tonight’s stage lineup fluctuated between eight and 10 members over the course of the set. Tonight’s special appearances included Nat Carson (vocals), New Rules for Boats’ Ben Golby (banjo) and Mel from Superengine (trombone/percussion). Playing to a mostly unresponsive audience, the first few tracks felt nervous before the band managed to find their footing. The back to back hits Mamonaku and City Walls & Empires saw the Institut crew pick up the pace as the front row stopped tapping their feet and actually started dancing. Erik Hecht ’s guitar and emotive vocals add a folksy feel to the pop melodies created by the brass and string section made up of Colvin’s violin and Elliott Brannen ’s trumpet, showing these strengths in EP tracks East, West & I, and Kentucky Society Drought. Peaking – almost too late – with the final song Silver Birds, Institut Polaire proved just why their debut EP was so highly anticipated, why we’re so thankful it’s finally here, and why we can’t wait for the promised album.
