Event Family Force 5
City Chicago
State Illinois
Venue House of Blues
Date October 25, 2008
When you go to see a band that give themselves nicknames like Soul Glow Activatur, Chap Stique, and Crouton, you expect to be entertained. Family Force 5 are known for their out of this world personas. Their current tour, called the Dance Rawr Dance II Tour, has been described as a transport to the future and fans were encouraged to let their inner alien come out and dress up for the shows. The crowd was diverse, ranging from preteens to twenty-somethings. Parents were there, but most had brought kids who looked no older than seven, which made it seem like the parents were the bigger fans. All of the fans embrace the band’s affinity for the future, Transformers, and Power Rangers. The band’s request for people to dress up was accepted with pleasure. The first kid in line was in full robot garb. This could mean that you are either in for one hell of a good time, or a horribly cheesy experience.
Fortunately, Family Force 5 put on a show that can be described as anything but cheesy. Their quirky qualities make them fun to watch. They have a certain swagger and personality that leaves you begging for more. The crowd was definitely in the dancing mood during the songs “Dance or Die” and “Fever,” and a massive mosh pit encompassed the entire back of the crowd for “Replace Me” and “Kountry Gentleman.” The constant strobe lights made for an odd phenomenon of moving in slow motion to fast paced music.
For the encore, lead singer Soul Glow Activatur came out with his traditional Hulk hands, spray painted silver, of course. The band got the entire crowd moving when they played “Luv Addict.” Guitarist Chap Stique even appeared offstage, playing on top of the House of Blues bar. They ended with a powerhouse song, “Earthquake,” which goes from heavy to dance to heavy in a matter of minutes. When it was all over, it felt like it had all been an out of body experience. From their outfits down to the light spectacle going on behind them, Family Force 5 put on a show that made it feel like everyone was dancing in a nightclub in the year 3033.
Check out our full set of Family Force 5 concert photos.
Review by ASHLEY SNIDER
Photos © ANNETTE ESSEY
Tags: family force 5
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