Concert Review Neon Indian Is A Band, But Alan Palomo Is A DJ
Okay, I know most Neon Indian fans will look at that headline, and say “Neon India is a band. Alan Palomom is not A DJ”. Yet, what happened on June 29, 2016, was something called life. When the electronic band’s drummer has a medical emergency, Alan Palomo came onto the stage to “soldier up” and give one of the most colorful, trance-like sets I have seen in awhile.
No one knew Alan Palomo could DJ and this well. If he decided tomorrow to take this up as a career, he would be one of the top ten ranked and paid DJ’s of the world: guaranteed. Thankfully, his heart is in the band, and you could see that with how upset he was with his drummer’s need for medical attention. It was one of the few times, in my concert reviews, where I saw the open vulnerability and genuine love between a band. Your fellow musicians are your musical family, and Palomo showed this by proudly exclaiming that the band could not play without their drummer. It was one of those “leave no one behind” moments that made me admire Palomo and the rest of Neon Indian for the brotherhood they had created, beyond really good music. Yet, Palomo was not going to leave fans or the buzzing crowd without some honeyed sounds.
When Palomo announced he was doing a DJ set, the crowd was stumped. Everyone cheered in support and excitement, but wondered what to expect. We were waiting for a band, not another DJ set. Yet, while many were surprised by how good Palomo was, I will arrogantly proclaim, I was not (lol!). When you listen to some of Neon Indian’s tracks, you will hear a level rhythmic intricacy that could only come from a multi-talented and multi-faceted person. You do not create songs with such electronic frequencies because you cannot play 2 or 3 instruments or cannot have more than one thought at a time. Clearly, Palomo, and Neon Indian, itself, are detailed intellectuals that see music for its vibrations, not just its beats. They want to take you on a mental vacation, and Paloma’e hypnotic set was reflective of that sentiment. He wanted us to escape into the moment: not from it. Hence, Palomo was the perfect cap to a very positive event.
House of Vans has a concert series and space that is both positive and fun. From the minute you enter, the atmosphere feels clear and liberated. People are just chilling. Some are taking selfies, some are skateboarding, some are lining up by the food trucks, but all are smiling. Thus, when Palomo came out with some bad news, and managed to turn it around into a surprisingly good and resilient reaction, it was amazing. It was also an oddly symbolic moment. When life hands you bad news or a rough start, turn it into a new beginning. Don’t get challenged! Discover and reveal a new, cool side to yourself. That is what Alan Palomo did that night and showed all the audience. A sour start could lead to a beautiful end, and he gave us that on June 29.
Check out Neon Indian’s Official Site Here.
