Live Review: Voxtrot at Triple Rock Social Club

Download: Voxtrot - "Blood Red Shoes"
Download: The Little Ones - "Lovers Who Uncover"
Download: The Little Ones - "Let Them Ring The Bells"

So up what's with the fact that there were, like, 80 people at the Voxtrot show last night? Well, I won't dwell on my disappointment at the poor turnout for the show because Voxtrot was great. I really liked that they didn't stick to just the hits. They covered a good spread of material off of their self-titled debut album, as well as digging into their back catalog of E.P.s, which Ramesh Srivastava admitted they didn't have much of a chance to play from during their tour with the Arctic Monkeys.

I think the coolest thing about Voxtrot's set was that they didn't just play the songs in straight-up album form. Obviously, a good amount of the production on the album will always translate to a rougher live show. But live, a lot of their songs featured retooled intros and slightly restructured instrumentation. I always like it when bands adapt their music for their show, and Voxtrot's capacity for rearranging their material made for a wonderful concert.

As far as openers are concerned, hushed indie-folkers Sleeping States were okay, I guess. It's hard to say that much about them. They had a nice sound, but had a very mellow stage presence. The name says it all, really.

The Little Ones kind of stole the show. About a third of the crowd left with their CD, titled Sing Song. I don't think I've seen this cute of a band in a long time. The Little Ones were just so power-poppy that I was charmed instantly by them. The band's music is very much in the same vein as Voxtrot, but with One for the Team cheerleader-style "Whoah-oah"s (The resemblance is much more pointed live). But the band's stage presence is what sets them apart from the previously mentioned groups. They just looked so overjoyed to be there, and, as we all know, happiness is most definitely contagious.

The Little Ones MySpace Page
Voxtrot MySpace Page
Sleeping States MySpace Page

(April Wright)