Cities have distinct cultures which can oft-times be boiled down into habits and norms. To wit: In DC, sidewalk snacking is the way to be. Skinny hipsters stuffing granola into their face as they ride their bike (ideally not on the sidewalk… but alas this rule is little observed.. which is another norm we can talk about later), Capitol Hill interns sipping expensive lattes as they yell into their smartphones, corporate suits taking putting Devon and Blakely sandwiches to the face as they try to track down their Ubers (there’s little more entertaining than watching a man in an expensive suit being expelled from a stranger’s car he thought was his Uber driver…) – all part and parcel of the District’s look.
What not to do in DC? Make out at concerts. Not a good look.
I’ve always taken these unwritten rules as universal, until my esteemed sister and Panic Manual cowriter moved to Chitown and showed me the ropes of the Windy City. Sidewalk snacking? A complete faux pas worthy of public shaming (seriously, people will ask you to share if you dare air your snacks). Making out at concerts? A must.
So… when I entered the 9:30 Club last night for Milky Chance’s show… my mind was blown. The German trio (usually a duo of Clemens Rehbein and Philip Dausch) was exuding reggae vibes of free love and good feelings – and the crowd was eating it up with cheers, hands-in-the-air-dancing and… shockingly… face mashing. Aka public displays of affections. Aka dance floor make outs. Aka DFMOs. Oh my goodness, what scene. Not a bad scene, but definitely a scene.
Thankfully, the band’s music was the most memorable part of the night despite the amorous couples surrounding them. They played “Stolen Dance” early on to loud acclaim, and then went out to play new tunes such as “Becoming.” The band’s newer tracks remind me a bit of Alt-J meets Dr. Dog. They’re definitely a band I knew little about besides their top tracks (I love Flashed Junk Mind) but seriously fell in love with after listening to more of their repertoire. Between their infectious beats, killer harmonica playing, and amazing Native American/Reggae/German/indie/synth combo of influences they may be my new soundtrack for… a long time.
Go see them if you can. Their sound live is very distinct from their recorded material. They come off grainier, grittier, and… just better. And you may get some free love in the mix. Win-win.