BMO Harris Bank Pavillion Milwaukee, WI September 26th, 2014
Watching Majical Cloudz open for Lorde at the BMO Harris Bank Pavilion in Milwaukee was a unique and authentic experience. Devon Welsh and his sound mixing partner, Matthew Otto presented their music not as a performance meant for applause, but as an experience for the audience to interpret as they choose. The pair presented both themselves and their music in a very matter of fact way:
Welsh introduced the duo with a simple, “I’m Devon and this is Matt. We’re from Canada…Thanks for listening”.
They began with “Notebook”. Otto, dressed in all black, synthesized a soft beat which consumed the background while accompanying Welsh’s lyrics. He sang with an intrinsic passion, wearing a simple white t-shirt and black jeans, clearly using the music and lyrics to take the audience to a particular moment in time.
Welsh cooed, “Hey man. Do you remember what you said when you heard voices in your head?”, mesmerizing the audience with melodic instrumentals accompanied by a lead man who’s presence and words seem to truly provoke emotion from his audience rather than the conventional hoots and hollers.
The two continued with “Savage”, the beat and urgent lyrics pulling the audience further into the story of the song, urging them to react; to sing, to yell, to contemplate.
“Childhood’s End” then forced a reaction. Welsh’s alerted voice accompanied by a harsh beat scream for the audience to feel the gut-wrenching emotions that relate to paternal relationships throughout life. Welsh and Otto continued with “Turns Turns Turns” and “Silver Rings”, telling their stories in an emotion-provoking and refreshingly open manner.
The duo’s final number did not disappoint. “Bugs Don’t Buzz”, like most songs from their debut album, Impersonator, is tragic, and brutally honest. It begins, “The cheesiest songs all end with a smile/ This won’t end with a smile, my love”, begging for an interpretation rather than an apathetic listening experience. The song builds to an intense end, overwhelming the audience with the beat, lyrics, and a certain intensity that comes from Welsh and Otto’s unique electric and vocal combination.
Majical Cloudz leaves their audience with an unresolved feeling that can only follow a soul-filled and honest musical experience by both musician and listeners. Their show is a musical experience most definitely worth having.
