Humans show they love Vancouver with one hell of a party

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      At Celebrities on Saturday, March 28

       Humans released their album Noontide more than a month ago, but they've been touring out of town ever since, meaning a belated local release party for their new LP. Just as you'd expect from a homecoming show, this night was a celebration of all things Vancouver, with a bill that came stacked with our town’s talent.

       As early arrivers filed into Celebrities to escape the rain, Radio Zero DJs began the festivities by spinning a string of thumping bangers. Most of the fans opted to settle in with a drink, and the music only attracted a smattering of dancers out onto the floor.

       Opening band Dralms took the stage at 10:45 p.m., and although the atmospheric, moody rock tunes were downcast compared to the clubby stylings of the prior DJs, the energy in the room lifted significantly as the floor quickly filled up.

       The ensemble’s four backing players were modestly clad in dark clothes, but leader Christopher Smith wore all white, his shoulder-length hair pulled back by a cap. His lack of an instrument gave him the freedom to dance along with the slithering bassline of "Divisions of Labour,” and he delivered the foul-mouthed insult "Fuck you, cocksucker" with unsettling calmness.

       Some crowd members were chatty throughout Dralms’ set, but they responded warmly to "Crushed Pleats," the soaring crescendo of which ended the performance on an energetic high.

       BESTiE was up next, and the four-piece's tropical-flavoured tunes came as a welcome contrast to the soggy weather outside. The packed room proved to be an ideal environment for the group's feel-good sounds, and the danceable rhythms of the Caribbean-infused single "Sriracha" got the revellers writhing.

       As the floor grew increasingly claustrophobic, a few punters sought reprieve by taking in the show from the relative calm of the venue's wraparound balcony. Up front, meanwhile, the heat was such that BESTiE singer Tristan Orchard dumped part of the contents of his water bottle onto his head. He also showed off a daring fashion choice when he removed his denim jacket mid-set to reveal a slightly see-through tank top.

       Radio Zero DJs returned throughout the show to bridge the gap between bands, and their thudding rhythms were increasingly well-received as the night wore on. While they held court over the throng, a table draped with a zebra-print sheet was carted out to the centre of the stage along with an array of synths, samplers and keyboards.

       Then, just after 1 a.m., white balloons were unleashed into the audience and Humans took over, with singer Robbie Slade greeting everyone with a friendly, "It's good to be home."

       The singer wore a black skullcap and, with fellow beatmaker Peter Ricq beside him, blended shadowy synth textures with a raunchy four-on-the-floor throb for ”Avec Mes Mecs,” This opening number was made all the more steamy by Slade’s crooned declaration, “I’m going to sex you.” The chorus, meanwhile, contained the lyric, “All we had to do was party,” a sentiment that many people in attendance doubtless related to.

       Humans then segued into the cold mechanical pulse of “At the Beach,” and the venue rumbled with bowel-churning bass while Slade delivered his lyrics in a pitch-dropped robo-voice.

       As is the case on Noontide, most of the tracks blended seamlessly into one another, and there were only a couple of pauses in the duo’s hour-long set. They briefly slowed things down for the primal, pounding beats of “Ennio,” but this gradually morphed into yet another propulsive groove. Soon after, a group of folks up front enthusiastically jumped in tandem during the back catalogue standout “De Ciel.”

       Slade and Ricq favoured dance medleys over traditionally-structured songs, but “Tell Me” stood out as an exception, its rock ’n’ roll stomp providing the backdrop for the night’s catchiest pop melodies.

      As the set wrapped up shortly after 2 a.m., Slade reiterated an earlier comment by observing, “It’s good to be home.” It was easy to see why he has such fond feelings about Vancouver, since this was one hell of a party. No sooner had the headliners said goodbye than the DJs resumed their duties and the still-packed celebration kept on raging.

       Humans have yet more tour dates planned for the coming weeks, and this night ensured that, during their travels, they’re sure to have some very fond memories of home.

      Comments

      1 Comments

      Alex111

      Mar 31, 2015 at 8:55pm

      It was a great party!