“What’s up Philadelphia?! Good to be back so soon!”
The crowd went wild this Friday, November 30th at the Electric Factory as Lotus took the stage of their hometown, and the white lights washed over the band. As soon as the tall and handsome Jesse Miller took his first wholesome strum on his bass, the celebration began. It seemed as though Philadelphia had been anticipating Lotus’s arrival since their last show at FDR Park in the fall, and Lotus could not have delivered a better follow up to the warm weather fest.
They opened the show with a bass heavy rendition of Blacklight Sunflare, and the floor instantly began to shake as their signature spotlights shifted in patterns over head. The funked out rock of a first number transitioned into a soothing yet captivating cool down. Guitarist Michael Rempel plucks one gorgeous melody after another, Jesse samples original sounds, and brother Luke Miller plays the keyboards while their amazing drummer, Mike Greenfield, holds it down on the back of the stage.
Throughout the entire set the Miller brothers play with multiple instruments on stage, seemingly masters at everything they touch. Tall and regal Bassist Jesse stands in the center, wearing a classic white shirt with flowers embroidered on the front. He keeps beat by stomping his foot on a speaker, while his brother rocks out on the guitar and keyboards to his right. These guys must have one proud mama.
There is something so spiritual and nostalgic about Lotus’s music, yet they manage to constantly create sounds that evolve from the tracks they have made before. In contrast with their last EP Oil on Glass/Feather on Wood, the self titled album Lotus released last year draws heavier on electronic sounds. The band has secured its spot on the contemporary music scene while maintaining its fundamental funk roots.
Michael Rempel sticks to his aqua guitar, and smiles to himself almost the entire time. He looks up at the bar rafters above and grins at those that meet his gaze who, without fail, let out whoops of adoration. As the show progresses you can watch Rempel get into his zone, plucking beautiful guitar solos that change every time you see him live. The band members also vibe fantastically with one another which plays into the exceptional quality of seeing Lotus live; no two sets are ever the same. They seem to read one another’s minds as they shift in and out of a given song’s chorus and verses, and you feel like you are right there with them.
Lotus’s genre experimentation has no limits, which is why it is hard to categorize them into just one niche; but their sound roughly encompasses creative jamtronica. They utilize the talent of the band members heavily, while juxtaposing their sounds with samples and synths. The result is an indescribable collision of electronic dance music and instrumental post-rock with hints of funk throughout. From gritty and upbeat songs like Golden Ghost to more soothing numbers like The Surf, their sets move like a tidal wave, gaining momentum as they transition from one song to another and become increasingly engrossed in the music.
Lotus’s sound is absolutely beautiful; stream their self-titled album in your headphones to know what I mean. Their music both shakes you up and washes over you like a cool wave then the sea foam settles over and gives you the chills; it is filled with so many components that there is never a dull moment.
About an hour into their set, Jesse tells us that they are taking a little break, and as people rush for a cigarette outside, the bathrooms or to the merchandise table, some stay put to make sure they can keep their spot. It is a rare occasion that an artist will take a break at the Electric Factory, offering their fans a chance to refresh and get back into the zone. When the house lights flashed and Lotus returned to the stage, everyone was getting into an increasingly better mood. The light shows were a steady stream of non stop fantastic, and the sounds of their instruments complimenting one another created the ultimate ambiance. The audience members and band alike seemed to rejoice the entire second half.
The set list was variant and brilliantly executed the entire way through. Lotus gave us one of the longest shows the Electric Factory has seen this year, which showcases the band’s devotion to their hometown and how much they really love creating sounds on stage. That’s easy to see, just fixate on any one of the band members for a verse or two; they close their eyes and look like they are becoming one with their instrument. It is a special thing to pay witness to, and a refreshing change of pace to see every soul in the building grooving along to music being made right in front of you.
The Electric Factory’s sound system was completely on point, with a bass reverberation that seemed to streamline through the center of your body. These are qualities that only a live show can give you, and Lotus is a band you need to experience to understand. Listen to the crowd for more than five minutes and you will hear people declaring what number of Lotus shows this set was for them. Whether this was your first or tenth show, their songs will forever be transformed into a memory of a beautiful moment; they are addicting. Watching Lotus perform is a special experience; complete with amazing musicianship, unique style and a light show that is among the best crafted and cued I have ever seen. The stage shifts from looking like the insides of a starburst explosion, to a beautiful waterfall of mellow white lights or shooting stars. Needless to say they utilize the strobes to heighten their already highly anticipated beat drops, which makes every one go wild. They also project shifting spherical patterns over the crowd and the walls behind which seem to turn along with guitars round notes. Lotus leaves you engulfed in sound, light, and love.
Maybe it is their indescribable formula that makes them so good, or maybe it is the amazing energy between the band and how they transfer that to the audience. Whatever it is, Philadelphia fans can’t get enough of it. Come back soon Lotus, we love you here!
Tour dates found here.
SET LIST:
I: Blacklight Sunflare, Flower Sermon, Pitched to the Fire (reworked), Livingston Storm > Dowrn, Mikesnack, Wax
II: Suitcases, Ashcon, Travel > Greet the Mind, Arupa > Hammerstrike, Age of inexperience
E: The Surf, Behind Midwest Storefronts
Article by: Alexandra Leinweber
Photography by: Alexandra Leinweber and Kathryn Warburton (primary photographer)
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