Moon Panda live at the Lollipop Shoppe, Sunday, November 2nd
Moon Panda made their stop in Portland at the Lollipop Shoppe on Sunday, November 2nd, for their Dumb Luck USA tour. Walking into a dimly lit setting with moody stage lights and a psychedelic Moon Panda visualizer felt like getting a secondhand high. I knew exactly what I was going into, and I was all for it.
As the show started, lead singer Maddy Myers invited listeners to travel through a dreamy landscape with tracks like “Space Elevator” and “Fantasy.” Her soothing voice mixed with George Godwin’s electronic keys further drove that song’s intention, underscoring the sense of “Fantasy.” I could tell how melodic and intoxicating it was for the audience to get lost in Moon Panda’s sound, myself included. Gustav Moltke’s guitar added another element of groove and psychedelic moments, complemented by Alfie Webber’s drums keeping steady rhythms.Halfway into Moon Panda’s set, a visualizer began projecting psychedelic and glitchwave visuals across the stage. The musicians carried on through each track as the lights morphed abstract colors onto them. It felt like watching a music video being played right in front of me. They performed songs from Sing Spaceship, Sing!, such as “SummerBrain” and “Machina Sky;” some familiar favorites that had the crowd grooving to the beat.
The songs from the new album, Dumb Luck, maintain an otherworldly quality, yet their introspective elements keep the album deeply human and grounded. The album holds a collection of personal stories gathered from each band member. Before playing, Myers told the crowd that “The Light” was dedicated to her child, and to Myers’ experience of becoming a mother. Her performance resonated with a deep connection to the music. It was clear how closely the band worked and collaborated with one another. You could feel a sense of camaraderie and genuine connection as they played. There was a euphoric vibe in the venue, and the audience’s first live impression of Moon Panda left them feeling the good vibes all around. Exactly what you should expect from Moon Panda!
Photos and review by Cole Popejoy
