Gotye – Vogue Theatre – 8 April 2012
Perhaps one of the most buzzed about acts of the moment, Gotye, took over the stage at Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre Sunday night. The sellout crowd was enraptured by the brilliant vocals of Wouter (Wally) De Backer…the stagename Gotye is a derivative of Gaultier, French for Wouter/Walter. Besides the 5 band members onstage, a wide array of electronic instruments filled the theatre with lush orchestrations. The back wall of the stage was a huge video screen showing some amazing animations and video montages to match each track.
Touring in support of his latest album Making Mirrors,
the 75 minute set also included some track from past albums. Throughout the show the Belgian/Australian singer, was interactive and engaging chatting with the audience and showing appreciate for the crowd as well as giving a shout out to his crew. Encouraged audience participation reached a pinnacle during the international hit “Somebody That I Used To Know”, since guest vocalist Kimbra wasn’t able to make the Vancouver show, the audience stepped in with hearty conviction to sing her parts of the song.
While some tracks offer a dark and moody atmosphere, assisted by the dark videos in the background, the mood of the show was definitely upbeat and excited. Wrapping up the set with three poppy and light tracks and extended instrumental solos on the electric drums and other instruments kept the audience up and dancing as they left the Vogue.
Definitely, this is show will be discussed as a ‘should have been there’ concert for some time to come. With just a few dates, mostly sold out, heading down the West Coast, including both weekends of Coachella Festival, there’s just a short time to catch this tour.