I wish the summer camps I’d gone to as a child were as good as Two Friends and Matoma’s Camp Superdope! It’s been two days since the show and my feet still hurt from all the jumping and dancing.
Win and Woo started out the show and did a great job prepping the audience for the night ahead. While only Woo was present, he did an amazing job hyping everyone up. The crowd was especially into duo’s hit, Chicago, a danceable song with a killer hook, “There’s not enough wind in Chicago to blow this over”.
Two Friends was next to take the stage. They came out with a bang, bringing incredible energy that they somehow managed to maintain during their entire set. When watching DJs and artists that rely heavily on electronic components to their music, it is oftentimes more difficult for the audience to connect with the performers as there is a booth or table situated on an elevated platform, creating a barrier of separation. These concerts are much more about dancing and enjoying the music with friends rather than tuning in to what the artist is actually doing on-stage. I noticed, however, that while everyone was enjoying the music with their friends they were clearly still paying attention to what Eli Sones and Matthew Halper were doing onstage.
Their set was incredibly upbeat and danceable to the point where you just couldn’t stop even if your feet hurt. I heard audience members claiming they’d take a quick break from jumping around after the current song ended only to hear them scream in excitement and proceed to continue dancing as the next track began to play. Other highlights of their performance included water guns and inflatable balls along with a special guest appearance from Sam Adams.
Matoma closed the night with an equally amazing set. The crowd was fully engaged and there appeared to be no drop in energy from one set to the next. Tom Stræte Lagergren’s set was incredibly impressive as most of the music he played was relatively new releases. As many artists rely on playing popular crowd-pleasers to keep the audience engaged, Tom’s strategy was incredibly risky. It clearly paid off though, with most of the audience members staying at the venue until the very end of the show, clearly showing Tom’s skill as a musician.
Highlights from his set include his remix of September by Earth, Wind & Fire and his rendition of Dance Monkey. He closed out his set with “All Night”, showcasing his talent on the keyboard. I’ve been to several pianists’ shows and I question if they were nearly as good as Tom. It appears there’s really nothing he can’t do.
All in all, the night was a clear success and well worth the sore feet. For anyone debating on purchasing a ticket for future tour dates, I’d advise buying them immediately. You won’t regret dropping the money for an unforgettable night.
For the entire Matoma photo gallery click here
For the entire Two Friends photo gallery click here