Oliver Tree on stage at MGM Music Hall
It’s a beautiful thing when a serious musician embarks on the road for a string of powerful, deep performances that captivate the hearts and minds of each attendee. Something people write movies, books and even other songs about. Something that changes lives forever. And then there’s a live show from FIDLAR and Oliver Tree.
Jasiah opening for the Alone In The Crowd tour
Now, don’t get it twisted – these are serious musicians, at least when it comes to their respect for music itself. However, there is an undeniable brash absurdity to the performances put on by FIDLAR and Mr. Tree. Opened by Ohio born rapper Jasiah, the “Break Shit” performer got the room shaking and quaking with a high energy, albeit truncated, set. Complete with images of SpongeBob & Mickey Mouse sharing a joint on the big screens behind. Although his time was cut short, Jasiah managed to attract a large crowd for the first of three sets in the night. He even surprised himself after asking for iPhone lights to be held up, not realizing he had fans on two additional balcony levels dancing along with him.
As eager fans made their mad dashes back to the bar, bathrooms and merch tables, FIDLAR began to set up on stage. Fortunately I didn’t leave the room in between as the LA-born (California Sober) party punk band abruptly began playing, which finally kicked the house lights down. Following a brief hiatus where many fans questioned their return even happening, the band finally returned to the road. Sans guitarist Elvis Kuehn, they returned with a new EP and a new outlook, all the while holding onto their trademark messy jams. Working through fan favorites like “Stoked and Broke,” “40oz. On Repeat” and “No Waves”, it wasn’t apparent that they took a break at all. If anything, they’re even better than before.
From Left: Brandon Schwartzel and Zac Carper of FIDLAR
Then it came time for the final act of the night: the man in the bowl cut and the sunglasses was about to appear. Kicking things off was a bizarre bit consisting of Oliver facing away from the crowd, manipulating a giant TV remote, proclaiming that the show was in fact, canceled. It wasn’t. The “Life Goes On” performer rallied the crowd for 20 songs including the encore, opening with the hit “Miss You” and tapping into tracks such as “Cowboys Don’t Cry”, “Miracle Man” and “Hurt”. Moving around the stage like an Andy Milonakis who watches too much Entourage, his fans were given exactly what they came for: Theatre of the absurd, by way of TikTok and a classic LA bender. And the crowd gave it all back to him, throwing themselves around, surfing the crowd and eating it all up. Just don’t ask about the smell inside the venue.
A consistent evening of hijinks, low brow humor and raucous music, the Alone In The Crowd Tour packs an energetic punch. Whether you came to catch Fidlar first, only attended for Mr. Tree, or stuck it out through the whole night, there was always something to grab your attention. Even for the few attendees caught blocking their ears during FIDLAR. Maybe up against the barricade wasn’t the best choice kids.
Oliver Tree and FIDLAR continue the Alone In The Crowd World Tour across the United States. Follow these links for more info on Oliver Tree, FIDLAR and Jasiah. Check out all of Greg Wong’s photos from the show below.
