Hopscotch Friday: Diamond Rings, Twin Shadow, Japanadroids

Above: Twin Shadow, Photo: David Millsaps

Diamond Rings

I had high expectations for Diamond Rings.  Specifically, I wanted to see just how glam of a look John O’Regan would rock on stage during his electro-pop set at Five Star.  Walking out in white jeans, white nail polish, white sunglasses and a bleached blonde high top with geisha red lipstick – he did not disappoint.  He seemed incredibly happy – like he was having fun and enjoying every minute of his set – even starting to dance just while he was setting up his equipment and “Rude Boy” was playing. 

O’Regan is clearly someone who loves music and is passionate about everything he does, down to expressing himself as an artist through a colorful signature look.  His music is playful and coy, and he smiled along with the audience during dance songs like “Wait and See” and “Someone Else”.  He was engaged with the crowd and excited to be there, complimenting Raleigh on being “Way cooler than Baltimore”.  There was even a small surprise when he removed his big white glasses to reveal a white-banded stripe of make-up across his eyes. 

Diamond Rings is definitely more than just a look.  As O’Regan switched between playing keyboards, drums, and guitar, it was obvious that he is talented, committed, and has some of the best showmanship I’ve seen in a long time. He started his set with the exclamation, “Let’s have some fun tonight!” and he delivered.   

Twin Shadow

Not many men could pull of a denim jacket unbuttoned to their navel with jeans, a long pendant necklace, a slightly off-centered jockey cap, and a Freddie Gibbs mustache.  But lead singer, George Lewis Jr., of Twin Shadow practically conjured the spirit and sex appeal of Prince. 

And if you had to describe his 2010 debut album in one word, it would be “sex”.  The album combines R&B, New-Wave, and intimate lyrics, as if The Cure somehow collaborated with How To Dress Well.

Performing the songs live in Lincoln Theater, Lewis and his band gave the songs more of a rock edge.  It gave sultry songs like, “Castles in the Snow” more of a fullness and noise that added movement to sensuality. 

Japanadroids

Japandroids

There’s a refreshing simplicity to Japandroids.  It’s just basically a drummer and guitarist, fresh out of their teenage years in Vancouver, singing and shouting along to straightforward garage pop songs about road trips and girls with wet hair.  The Pour House was crammed to capacity with people eager to see these skinny guys with shaggy hair and a wind machine play some of their favorite songs from the 2009 debut album, Post-Nothing. 

They played a few new songs, but people got really amped for the classics like “Rockers East Vancouver” and “Young Hearts Spark Fire”.  A lame mosh pit started to form dangerously close to where I was standing, causing me and the few other girls at the show to squeeze out and away.  As someone who doesn’t like to be touched by strangers, getting pushed around by a bunch of drunk dudes just isn’t my thing.  If I wanted to get in on that sort of thing, I would have been at Warp Tour in high school.  There’s no need for violence at Japandroids.  I’m just trying to enjoy the chance to hear one of my favorite songs, Sovereignty” performed live.

I think my ears are still ringing, but it was the perfect way to close around and all-around great night of amazing shows.

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Music , Other posts by Whitney Ayres Kenerly.

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Hopscotch Music Festival Live Music

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