Concert Review: Smallpools at Vinyl

Indie pop and alternative rock band Smallpools take the Vinyl stage at Centerstage by storm, kicking off the band's first tour in over 18 months. A joyous moment for both band and fans, this show was a party from beginning to end. Killer dance moves, a crowd walk, and giant inflatable killer whale made for quite the show.

morgxn brought an emotional opening set. After over a year of not playing music, his tears of joy were unquestionable. I would argue this show was more important to them than the crowd. A talented songwriter and vocalist, morgxn wowed the audience with his heart-wrenching songs about loss and hope for the future. His openness in his music makes his music a treat to listen to.

Can't talk about this show and not mention the production. For a show in a small club, Smallpools brought it all. A lighting ground package you would expect at a venue five times the size, a professional touring team, and a general professionalism on stage sold the show. This tour was more than just a rebound, it was the band coming back in style.

Smallpools played a solid set, with songs from across their albums and EPs. A couple of melodies sprinkled in and a guest performance by morgxn on their collaborative song "Slowdown" made for a great night. The full setlist is below:

          1. No Story Time

          2. Stumblin’ Home

          3. Passenger Side

          4. Street Fight

          5. Ancient History

          6. American Love

          7. Life of the Party

          8. Mother

          9. Over & Over

          10. Science Fiction

          11. Lovetap!

          12. Simulation -> Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Tears For Fears cover)

          13. DJs & Porches -> Runaway (Kanye West cover)

          14. Killer Whales

          15. People Watching

          16. Million Bucks

          17. Dreaming

          -

          18. Slowdown (ft. morgxn)

          19. Mason Jar

 Last night was just the first of a 24-stop run. The rest of the dates can be found below:

          11/02 Durham, NC — Motorco Music Hall

          11/04 Boston, MA — Brighton Music Hall

          11/05 Philadelphia, PA — Foundry at The Filmore

          11/06 Brooklyn, NY — Music Hall of Williamsburg

          11/07 Washington D.C. — Union Stage

          11/09 Toronto, ON — Adelaide Hall

          11/10 Ann Arbor, MI — Blind Pig

          11/13 Chicago, IL — Bottom Lounge

          11/14 Minneapolis, MN — Fine Line

          11/16 Kansas City, MO — Uptown Theater

          11/17 St. Louis, MO — Duck Room

          11/18 Nashville, TN — Exit/In

          02/03 Houston, TX — House of Blues

          02/04 Austin, TX — Antone’s

          02/05 Dallas, TX — Club Dada

          02/08 Phoenix, AZ — Valley Bar

          02/09 San Diego, CA — Voodoo Room

          02/11 Los Angeles, CA — The Roxy

          02/12 San Francisco, CA — Rickshaw Stop

          02/14 Portland, OR — Polaris

          02/15 Seattle, WA — The Crocodile

          02/17 Salt Lake City, UT — Hangar House

          02/18 Denver, CO — Marquis Theatre

 If the "Life in a Simulation Tour" isn't on your radar, it should be now. Expect a fun night of great music, from ballads to indie-pop smashes.