It seems like I only just got to see a Foxy Shazam show, but June was actually about eight months ago – crazy! But even if I only just saw them a month ago, I will never not be excited for a Foxy Shazam show. They’re just too good! And too fun!
The venue was a new one I’d never been to or even heard of over in Pittsburgh. Called the Thunderbird Cafe, it functions on the first level as a bar, where you can also order food. Then the next level down functions as the “cafe” part, with tables and chairs, but also a view of the stage down in the lowest level. The basement, if you will. But that space, for as small as it appeared, actually was laid out really well with a nice, high stage so I could actually see the bands all night. The basement level also had its own bar, along with a pizza window! Very cool space!
The first opener of the night was a chill sounding, funk band by the name of Moondough. While no one song really stood out to me from the night, everything was really pleasant sounding. Stuff I wouldn’t mind having on in the background. But the next opener really blew me away. They are a Mexican rock band by the name of Descartes A Kant, who have apparently been around since 2000! Their whole set centered around a sort of futuristic vibe, along with a machine called “DAK” that’s supposed to help humans navigate life and emotions. They looked like they came straight out of Zenon, and their sound was so cacophonos and unique – it was amazing. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this impressed by an opening band. And of course I was too nervous to meet them at the merch table at the end of the show. But either way, new fan.
I find it hard for other bands to outshine Foxy Shazam’s stage presence, but they were close! In any case, Foxy took the stage and brought all of their energy to it! Their very first album dominated a large chunk of the setlist, much to the delight of the crowd. Everyone was moving and grooving from the very first note! I personally, was not familiar with much of the setlist this time around, but good songs are good songs, no matter if it’s your first time or not. The energy was so infectious that it had me tapping my feet and picking up on choruses for much of the night.
I hope “Holy Touch” never ever leaves a future setlist, and with the success of Peacemaker they’d be remiss not to include “Oh Lord.” A song that I never really knew well from that same ablum has popped up the last few shows and it is literally so fun! So that means “Killin’ It” totally killed for me (see what I did there). It also wouldn’t be a Foxy show if Sky didn’t play his keyboard on top of the crowd, or if Eric didn’t light and then eat three cigarettes, so of course those two things happened in the middle of the set. It was glorious. I’m so happy I got to see them again so soon, and I hope they keep coming out so I never have to stop!