A concert on a Wednesday night? Why not?

That’s exactly what audience members asked last night at the Spanish Moon…except they didn’t just ask it, they howled it. Spanish Moon hosted indie hip hop band WHY? on Halloween night in celebration of their newly released album. Mumps, Etc.’s physical drop was October 30, 2012—about three years since their last LP Eskimo Snow and the last time they performed in Baton Rouge. Choosing the same venue as 2009, this year they brought guests Black Swans and Maytronix with them. 

The first opener for the night’s show was duo Black Swans, who didn’t seem to fit the bill. Setting the mood for Halloween with a silly horse costume accompanied by neighs between songs, their festive antics didn’t make up for their unenthusiastic musical style (especially in comparison to the following acts). Even though their slow-paced songs and country-esque singing style bored the audience, their refreshing attention to the underused steel pedal was impressive.

The next band to take the stage was called Naytronix, lead by the bassist of tUnE yArDs with the same stage name. This trio was much more exciting than their predecessor. They maintained a chill-wave and experimental vibe alongside moments of upbeat grooves similar to tUnE yArDs. This proved a savoir of the crowd’s mood from the molasses performance by Black Swans. The band’s stringy LED wigs (hats?) and pop choruses helped prepare the crowd for the energy that was to come.

Naytronix left the stage, and the crowd waited. Anticipation swarmed around the audience. A group camped in front of the stage started belting out lyrics to various WHY? songs and lead the chanting of front man Yoni Wolf’s name. And then, it happened.

Patron members Doug McDiarmid and Josiah Wolf stepped onto the stage along with new members Liz Wolf, Sarah Winters and Ben Sloan all dressed up as spooky skeletons. They took their places—Josiah and Ben at drums and Sarah and Liz at keyboards— and played a soft and somber introduction. When Yoni Wolf stepped on stage, they all immediately went into the infamously energized “Good Friday” from Alopecia. 

The following hour was filled with an assortment of tracks ranging almost their entire discography, and of course featured some of the best tracks from the new album. Yoni put as much passion into his rap on stage as he does on the albums. He was supported by excellent musicianship from his brother, Doug and newcomer Ben, as well as beautiful harmonizing back-up vocals from Sarah and Liz.

As socially awkward as Yoni portrays himself in his lyrics, he had great stage presence—talking with his adoring fans, quirkily dancing around the stage and even hosting a costume contest. While there were numerous notable characters floating about in the audience—Cabbage Head, Moonrise Kingdom references and even a giant question mark—the grand prize of a signed copy of Mumps, Etc. on vinyl went to a home-made rendition of the Ghost Busters’ Marshmellow Man. 

The band performed the perfect balance needed in a live show—just enough audience interaction to give the fans a personal and intimate atmosphere while reserving enough energy and time to play a heart-felt and lengthy set list full of crowd pleasers. The music of WHY? is not only known for its infectious/experimental beats and choruses, but also for Yoni’s incredibly personal lyrics and train-of-thought writing style. The audience was given the same intimate relationship in the Spanish Moon as they are in every single WHY? album. The band even stayed after their set to sign merch and take pictures with fans. If you haven’t seen a WHY? show yet, rest assured they truly are the same band live as they are recorded.

Set List:

• Good Friday- Alopecia
• Strawberries- Mumps, Etc.
• Waterlines- Mumps, Etc.
• These Few Presidents- Alopecia
• Sod in the Seed- Mumps, Etc.
• Thirst- Mumps, Etc.
• Jonathan’s Hope- Mumps, Etc.
• Brook and Waxing- Alopecia
• The Hollows- Alopecia
• White English- Mumps, Etc.
• Crushed Bones- Elephant Eyelash
• The Vowels pt.2- Alopecia
• Bitter Thoughts- Mumps, Etc.
• Simeon’s Dilemma- Alopecia

 Encore:

• A Sky for Shoeing Horses Under- Alopecia
• Gemini (Birthday Song)- Elephant Eyelash

 https://www.lsureveille.com/klsu/article_8e285ada-24a2-11e2-ac4b-0019bb30f31a.html