Phantogram Celebrated Three’s Release at the Paramount Theatre [Photos]

Photos by Eric Tra

Phantogram dazzled fans during their sold out show at Seattle’s historic Paramount Theatre. This show was particularly special as it also coincided with the launch date of the band’s third album, appropriately named Three. The opener, a one man DJ act called The Range, kicked off the night with a performance that consisted of fast electronic beats coupled with moody vocal samples and spacey synths to get the crowd going. The Range, also known as James Hinton, is set to be an opening act on and off for the next handful of shows before Phantogram takes off for a few European dates later this winter.

As the audience filled the floor and the balcony sections of the theatre, the lights dimmed and Phantogram prepared to take the stage. And this is where things got interesting. Unlike the usual stage entrances, where the performer takes the stage shrouded in a plume of fake smoke and some fancy lightwork, Phantogram instead employed a more theatric route to their opening performance. A massive semi-transparent veil that spanned the width of the stage, was used as a giant projection screen laid between the crowd and the band. A projector from the soundboard in the rear of the venue threw up abstract visualizations and even a nostalgic home movie reel during the song “Barking Dog.” The band crescendoed into their set with the haunting tune, “Funeral Pyre,” the opening track to their latest album. The veil was held for the first four songs leaving the audience in flurry of suspense and excitement. As the set neared the end of the fourth song, the screen fell revealing the full four-piece band lead by frontwoman, Sarah Barthel, and lead guitarist, Josh Carter. The band took no time rushing into an explosive performance of “You’re Mine.”

Phantogram gave a spectacular twelve song performance, and wrapped up with a four song encore that included the band’s latest singles, “Cruel World” and “You Don’t Get Me High Anymore.” Judging by the crowd’s cheers, other crowd favorites during the set were “Mouthful of Diamonds” and “When I’m Small,” both tunes off of Phantogram’s 2009 debut album Eyelid Movies. Altogether, Phantogram’s live show is simply electric. Catch them on tour now!