Considering that this was my second time in five months seeing a Connan Mockasin show, I thought I pretty much knew what to expect, but I couldn't have been more wrong.
A New Zealander by way of London, Connan Mockasin makes music from another realm. Fearlessly and endearingly, his sounds invoke peculiar and zany flavors that I can't get enough of. His deliberate off-kilter tuning is what he is known for, but his live show is beyond next level.
Connan carries himself in such a way that you feel as though you'd be great friends right away. Open-hearted and welcoming, he makes his audience feel as though they're a part of the show, and that's putting it lightly. The immense talent that this band carries is undeniable. This show was drenched in psychedelia, quickening paces and then sloth-like tempos, making their set as schizophrenic as it was ethereal.
Half-way through their set, Connan invited a couple girls on stage and gave one of them the mic. She proceeded to sing-along while the band jammed, and that's when the show took a turn for the amazingly entertaining. MGMT's Andrew Vanwyngarden joined the band, adding some percussion to their sound. And shortly after that, Mac DeMarco chimed in with whatever instrument he could get his hands on. This all-star lineup was just getting warmed up.
Connan decided it was time to split the ground-level crowd down the middle and start a catwalk. He'd pick a stranger from the crowd and encourage them to walk down the makeshift catwalk, and then he joined. After he got back on stage, his bandmates and featured musicians began stripping. Connan had the brilliant idea to try to get the crowd to join him in the de-robing. Half the crowd obliged, throwing their clothes on the stage and remaining half-exposed for the rest of the show. Then that's when the show escalated again.
The stage was packed with people half naked, playing instruments and dancing. Everyone in the room was elated. The energy consisted of free, all-encompassing love. The last song included Connan being lifted up on his friend's shoulders while playing guitar and then... another guy lifted Connan's friend up on his shoulders!
The show went on at least an hour past normal wrap time and I even saw Mac DeMarco's ball. That's right.
I don't think I'm doing much justice in explaining the incredible experience I had at this event, which only leaves me to urge you to see a live Connan Mockasin show. You'll lose yourself in the most beautiful way.
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