In the past couple years, indie music has gained significant popularity among teens. Indie songs are popping up all over the charts and getting airtime on popular radio and TV stations. Passion Pit, an American indie band from Cambridge, Massachusetts, emerged from the masses as a successful synthpop artist, their unique sound distinguished by electronic sound loops, overpowering beat, and orchestrated chanting. Rolling Stone named their hit single “Take a Walk” the third-best song of 2012.
On Thursday, Feb. 21, Passion Pit with special guest Matt and Kim performed at Compuware Arena in Plymouth, MI. Swedish dance-pop duo Icona Pop opened the show, performing their biggest hit, “I Love It,” from their self titled, first studio album.
Following was Matt and Kim, indie pop duo from Brooklyn, NY. Upon dancing onto stage, Matt Johnson held up a Matt and Kim band tee and thrusted into the wild crowd. After the first song, Johnson promptly introduced his “partner in crime and partner in sex,” Kim Schifino. Schifino proceeded to thank and sympathize with the fans who stood in line and endured the bitter cold Michigan weather. Later in the show, Schifino pleased the crowd by performing her signature booty dance.
Their set list mostly consisted of songs from their fourth and latest album “Lightning” released in October 2012, with a few fan favorites, such as “Daylight” and “Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare,” mixed in.
The final act of the concert was none other than Passion Pit. In July and August 2012, the band cancelled several booked shows due to a medical emergency. It was publicly disclosed that lead singer Michael Angelakos was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 17 and needed to take a couple weeks off in order to focus on his treatment. They resumed tour in mid-August.
Since then, Passion Pit has been consistent with their performances, with the exception of a cancelled Cleveland show due to a stomach flu bug two nights before Detroit’s. Despite this brief set back, Matt and Kim and Passion Pit put on an engaging performance that exceeded the fans’ expectations.
Passion Pit’s performed songs “Take a Walk,” “Carried Away,” and “Cry Like a Ghost” from their second album, “Gossamer,” as well as “Sleepyhead” from their previous album, Manners. They closed with an oldie, “Little Secrets.”
Passion Pit and Matt and Kim’s joint tour ended on March 3, and the two bands went on their separate ways. Passion Pit will take their tour southward to Brazil and Chile. Meanwhile, Matt and Kim will stay in the US for the next month, then continue down under to Australia. However, with summer well on its way, the artists will once again be reunited at Firefly and Bonnaroo music festivals.
Listen to Icona Pop’s “Iconic EP” here, Matt and Kim’s “Lightning” here, and Passion Pit’s “Gossamer “here.
