On April 18th, the people of Nashville decided to spend their Friday night gathered at Exit/In to see Youth Lagoon, the neo-psychedelic brainchild of Trevor Powers. In support of his latest album, Rarely Do I Dream, Powers and his band hit the road in March with supporting artist Valley James for the “Rarely Do I Dream Tour”. Valley James gracefully primed the stage for Powers and his band, setting the mood perfectly with hauntingly beautiful melodies. As she finished her final song, there was an exciting energy in the venue as the audience waited impatiently for Youth Lagoon. As the band took the stage, the lights changed to hues of dark blues and purples, very appropriate for the hypnotizing sound of Powers’ keys, the calm hum of bass, and the steady pulse of drums. Opening the show with “Neighborhood Scene” from Rarely Do I Dream, the audience was immediately introduced to the genre-bending sound of Youth Lagoon. Mixing elements of psychedelia, pop, and Americana gave the band an electric experimental sound, which almost instantly captivated those in the crowd.
The raw and emotional vocals from Powers gave the audience an intimate experience, as they could feel Powers’ vulnerability through his lyrics and melodies. Along with other songs from Rarely Do I Dream, the band played fan favorites such as “17” and “Cannons” from their first album The Year of Hibernation. There was an overwhelming sense of calm in the room while Powers and his band played. Many patrons closed their eyes and swayed as the music guided them into a meditative state. Youth Lagoon created a calm, magical atmosphere through their shining piano melodies and emotional warmth. There was a sense of catharsis within the music, almost as if Powers is allowing you to pick his brain and analyze his thoughts about the pain and beauty of being alive. If you are looking to slow down and feel, Youth Lagoon is a show you would not want to miss.
- Emily Duncko
Photos Courtesy of Emily Duncko (For Bell Music Magazine)
