Cults - The Music Box - 3/22/12

Timothy Norris

Madeline Follin of Cults

See also:
Cults @ The Fonda Theater Slideshow

Cults, Spectrals
The Music Box
3/22/12

Better than...your local Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers cover band.

Leather jackets and cardigans alike showed up at the recently reopened Music Box last night to see Cults take their victory lap. This New York band's first single "Go Outside" showed up mysteriously in 2010 on Bandcamp and launched this duo from college students to rock band in the blink of an eye. Last night was a celebration of their self titled debut album which came out less than a year ago; its popularity shows no signs of slowing down.

Timothy Norris

Spectrals

Opening for Cults was Spectrals, a project from Louis Jones, a fresh-faced kid from Yorkshire who could not have been more pleased to be here. "It's my first time in LA," he beamed at the crowd, his cheeks flushed. "Everyone's been really nice. I'd like to come back." His set felt almost like a green card audition. Three fourths of the band were clad in pastel shirts buttoned all the way to the neck, like they were on their way to convert some non-believers later, or have tea with their girlfriend's parents. The only rebel was the keyboardist, who deigned to wear a t-shirt. Whoever put this band on tour with Cults was a genius.

See, they managed to find a band that was younger, greener, and more innocent looking than the Cults, with internet buzz from the UK (not too much buzz as to overshadow the band, but just enough to make people curious and show up early) and a similar early 1960s inspired sound. With a low voice that could be easily confused with Julian Casablancas, Jones played a short summery set that was promising rather than inspiring, full of good ideas that hadn't fully cooked yet. Cults could not have dreamed up more perfect opener. Next to Spectrals they looked positively experienced and even a little dangerous.

Cults took the stage at 11, under a cloak of darkness that never really fully lifted. Black and white films containing fierce lions, queens in ornate headdresses, and perky synchronized swimmers were projected over the stage, so the band was always in half shadow. It was as if they wanted to keep all of the mystery, so easily achieved on the internet, and wrap themselves in it. All of the band members had long dark hair that fell to their chests, covering their faces while they played.