Last Wednesday evening, Washed Out and Small Black, both of which are part of a new electronic evolution of dance music, brought their chill-wave vibes to the House of Blues here in New Orleans. Both bands take a comprehensive approach to their performances, using a full band for their songs and not relying simply on laptops or electronics to accomplish everything. However, the music of the two differs in the tempos and moods; while Small Black errs on the peppy dance side of the electronic music spectrum, Washed Out plays with the slower side more down tempo side, a “washed out” take if you will. Accordingly, the light shows for each set was fine-tuned to aesthetically evoke each bands vibe — Small Blacks’ lighting vibrant and colorful, Washed Out’s lighting darker and saturated side.
The near sold out crowd was enthusiastic but never overly rowdy and completely absorbed every beat played for them.
Both band’s sets were composed of material from their respective latest release. Washed Out’s set was evenly rounder with the entire catalogue and Small Blacks’ was graciously filtered with their back catalogue.
SMALL BLACK SETLIST
Free at Dawn
Only a Shadow
Canoe
Despicable Dogs
Real People
Breathless
Proper Spirit
Photojournalist
No Stranger
WASHED OUT SETLIST
It All Feels Right
Belong
New Theory
Get Up
Far Away
All I Know
Weightless
You and I
Feel It All Around
Falling Back
Amor Fati
ENCORE
Hold Out
Eyes Be Closed
Small Black
Washed Out
