The Observer, September 7, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 2
The Format and company rock the Agora
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To those of us who are experienced concert-goers and have attended more concerts than we can even begin to count, it becomes hard for a single concert to step out of the noise-filled background into a place of prominence in our minds. Most concerts just have a lot of sub-par front men shrieking at obnoxious volumes, backed by bands that depend on volume, rather than musical skill, to impress their audience.
The Format, an indie-rock band that originated in Phoenix and is now gaining nationwide fame with their latest album, Dog Problems, is a band that puts on a show which steps out from the loud crowd and finds its own place among current rock concerts.
Last Wednesday, The Format made their traditional stop in Cleveland during their nationwide tour, much to the enjoyment of a packed crowd at the Agora. Appearing with four other bands, including indie favorite Piebald, they got the packed crowd of hundreds on their feet and singing.
The first band, Reuben's Accomplice, also from Phoenix, showed some definite promise as an opener, but after a short while, the lead vocalist's voice began to lose its tonal quality and slipped into a whiny semblance of what it once was. Next on stage was Limbeck, a definite improvement over Reuben's Accomplice. Through their well-written lyrics, impressive stage antics, and great live sound, Limbeck proved to be one of the more experienced bands performing this night.
Next up was Steel Train, a band from New Jersey. All the previous bands performed the same general genre of music: a blend of indie - rock and pop. Steel Train didn't entirely fit into this category; they were a little harder-sounding than all the others, and even their style was a little different from their fellows, though not necessarily in a bad way. Few people seemed to enjoy Steel Train as much as the other bands.
Piebald finished off the opening band lineup with a definite bang. Demonstrating their signature outrageous stage antics as well as their original sound, front man Travis Shettel at one point climbed atop a 10-foot stack of amps and leapt down from their towering heights to end a song. In addition to visual antics, Piebald also impressed through their live sound, which sounds remarkably like their CD's. Unfortunately for Piebald fans, this was their last show in Cleveland, as the band announced their breakup in mid-August.
After nearly four hours of openers, The Format finally took the stage amid deafening cheers. Knowing exactly how to play a crowd, the band performed their more popular singles interspersed among some lesser-known gems from both their current album, Dog Problems, and their previous album, Interventions and Lullabies. The lead singer, Nate Ruess, pulled off unbelievably sustained high notes, all while keeping the crowd completely involved in the show.
What really solidified the concert as a standout was the final song performed. Bringing out members from all four previous bands, a combined musical force of about 20 performed an old Van Morrison song, complete with catchy sing-along chorus, dancing band members; and of course, cowbell.
Among a sea of generic rock concerts, the Format's recent show stands out as a musical extravaganza. Coming in at a solid five hours, the show was for only the hardiest music fans, but for those who attended, it was a concert experience that will not easily be forgotten.
