It seemed on Friday, June 22nd at the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston, MA that college was still in session – well at least the social aspect of it – as homegrown indie rockers Passion Pit returned home to create one large dance party. Luckily, the show wasn’t completely scrapped as minutes before all of Boston’s Seaport District lost power. Scrambling to make sure the show happened, Passion Pit finally took the stage 45 minutes after the original set time and after a short opener from the unknown ‘back-up’ DJ.
Lead singer Michael Angelakos noted the late start but assured the crowd they would be playing the entire set they originally planned, no matter how late it went. Opening with “Moth Wings” off their 2010 release Manners (QRO review), Angelakos gave the crowd an opportunity to release their nervousness from the anticipation of a canceled show, by letting them scream the chorus to their first single off Gossamer, “Take a Walk” (QRO review). At that point, relief took over the crowd and whatever happened prior to the former Berklee College of Music students (minus Angelakos), taking the stage, was now a distant memory.
Pacing the stage from left to right throughout the night, Angelakos repeatedly pointed the microphone to the dance happy mass of people in front of him for a chance to share the lyrics. For the first time live, they were able to sing along to the second single off Gossamer, “I’ll Be Alright”, a futuristic sounding, fast paced electro pop gem that is sure to be a highlight on the new album. It was mentioned that they still had to work on its live version but that was irrelevant to this joyous crowd who were just happy to have them performing.
Halfway through the set, Passion Pit acknowledged and thanked the longtime Boston independent radio station 101.7 WFNX, who picked them up so early on. Before closing with “Sleepyhead”, Angelakos stated, “We just want to thank one of the last great independent alternative rock stations ever. This whole set is dedicated to them.”
After a brief break, the five piece walked back on stage to end with yet-to-be-released track “Mirrored Sea” and fan favorite “Little Secrets”, which ironically got people jumping “higher, and higher, and higher” before the Bank of America Pavilion could properly shut off the power for the night.
Passion Pit playing “Sleepyhead” live at Bank of America Pavilion in Boston, MA on June 22nd, 2012:
Set list
Moths WingsPassion Pit playing “Little Secrets” live at Bank of America Pavilion in Boston, MA on June 22nd, 2012:
