We’re gonna rattle this Naptown.
And rattle they most certainly did.
As part of the Press Restart Tour, Walk The Moon made their way back to Indianapolis’ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre. What’s a party without guests? Joining them was the recently-reunited Company of Thieves.
The Old National Centre is hosting not one, but two sold out shows this evening, making good on the promise of rattling this town. It’s been a while since I’ve dusted off my dancing shoes, but like they say, it’s one foot in front of the other. Let’s do this. Allons-y.
ALL TOGETHER NOW
Company of Thieves is up first this evening. After playing in their hometown of Chicago the night prior, it’s time to venture down I-65 on this latest tour stop. I had the pleasure of speaking with them just a few hours prior, and they mentioned how Indy always felt like a backyard to them (which by the way, they’ll actually play a show in your backyard). So how was this go-around?
The recently-reunited trio may have been playing to a larger crowd, but they didn’t skip a beat. Their sound is cohesive, they know how to captivate a crowd (even one that may not have been there to see them), and more importantly, they look like they’re having a blast on stage. It’s a sold out crowd, and yes, many are mostly here just for Walk The Moon, but it’s hard not to notice the pockets of people dancing along to “Oscar Wilde” or singing along to their cover of The Killers’ “When You Were Young.”
Not everything lands on its feet. Some elements seem like they would be better in smaller, more intimate settings like the telephone microphone or some of the dancing, but for 40 minutes, they did exactly what they needed to do: put on an enjoyable performance, get the crowd ready for the main event, and divert a few more eyes and ears towards their direction. Judging by how many people around me who are clapping along, I’d say they did just that. Company of Thieves is back and better than ever, and they’ll steal your heart like a…well, you know.
There are only two bands on this bill, and after Company of Thieves wraps up, it’s time to set up for our headliner. Sound check goes on while eager concertgoers converse amongst each other (or check out and update Snapchat). I’ve not seen Walk The Moon before. All I can see now are people tuning guitars and what looks like an elaborate lighting rig behind the stage. My phone is about to die, so I guess I’ll shut it off and sing along to whatever music is pouring through the PA.
I’m always concerned about this every time I go to a show. That the wait between bands will take forever. It feels like an eternity (maybe only 20-30 minutes, or an entire episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine if my phone didn’t die…), but hey, good things come to those who wait. Before the wait feels too unbearable, the familiar tones of “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers pours through the speakers, sparking one of the most rousing sing-alongs I’ve seen in some time.
THIS CONCERT IS MY DESTINY
This is just a warm-up, and about halfway through the song, the lights go out, and what was once a sold out room of people singing along to a 14-year-old song, it’s soon replaced by the voices of about 2000 people pouring their hearts out to “Press Restart.” Walk The Moon has taken the stage, and we’re now underway.
The Cincinnati-based band talked about how much Indy has been like a second home to them over the years. They’ve played shows in the theatre and the Egyptian Room, one member had proposed to his wife several years ago in the location we are now, they even told a little story about the marquee reading “Everyone Is Welcome” during the RFRA controversy before performing “Different Colors.” The same message rings true in 2018. Everyone is welcome in this crowded room: the band that treats Indy like a second home, the high school and college-aged crowd singing along to every word like it’s gospel, the music lovers who just love to dance, and even writers such as myself.
The highlight of the evening? The band took a brief break from their dance-happy synth tones to slow it down for a bit, encouraging those on a date to share a moment (#ForeverAlone). It was during this time that attention was diverted from the stage to a small pocked towards the front of the crowd. A proposal had just happened, prompting cheers from some of the people around. The band got word and acknowledged them after the song.
As for the whole of the set itself, there’s plenty of dancing, clapping along, and yes, singing. Aside from one slow song, it’s pretty much one setting throughout the set: full steam ahead. Walk The Moon knows who they are, and thus, they know what most crowds want to do: to shut up and dance with them (without the shutting up, this crowd is quite lively). On one hand, without much variety, there’s not much to differentiate some of the songs, and maybe it felt little too much like eating all your Halloween candy at once (and their blend of pop is just that sweet). On the other hand, the show was great fun. I only know a handful of songs, but I never once felt out of place. There were a million other places I could’ve been this night, and I’m glad I chose this.
The fun can’t last forever, as WTM goes into “Headphones” almost without warning and bids farewell to the capacity crowd. As we beg for an encore, it’s not the typical “one more song!” or “encore!” chant going on, but rather, one begging for “Anna Sun.”
It may have felt like an eternity to get the show started, but the wait for the encore felt surprisingly short. The band came back out and thanked everyone before informing them they’d play a few more, including the aforementioned “Anna Sun.” From there, it’s one final farewell, and it’s time to head back outside. Some stuck around to try to catch things like set lists and guitar picks from the band, while others made their way to the merch stand. The rest? It’s off to the exits. The building that hosted two sold out shows this evening will soon be empty.
FINAL VERDICT
A 1+ hour nonstop dance party may have been excessive, but in the end, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how fun this show was. Company of Thieves is a band of very talented musicians and even better people, and Walk The Moon was every bit as sweet as their blend of pop that you’d expect them to be. There’s a reason their shows always sell out when they come to town. It may be a little bit before they come back to town, but when they do, their second home will be here to welcome them with open arms.
Until next time, keep raising the fires, because when we get to dancing, we’ll forget about taking sides.