LIVE REVIEW: Miniature Tigers at Rickshaw Stop

Why do you go to live shows?

Is it for the alcohol? Probably not – you can drink at home for cheaper, and with (slightly) smaller risk of having multiple drinks spilled on you. Plus, you know, drinking at home is what the really cool kids do (sarcasm).

Is it for the incredibly luxurious experience and atmosphere? Eh, doubt it – most concerts, while showcased in interesting and historic venues, force you to stand for hours on end with your plastic cups of expensive booze, sometimes way in the back with the people who’d rather chat loudly and Twitter on their iPhones than listen to the band. Plus, it gets hot in most crowded scenes, and some hairy dude standing next to you will inevitably keep bumping you with his sweaty arm.

Is it for the music? Maybe yes, maybe no. Some musicians bring their craft to a new level in a live setting, taking you places that your stereo simply cannot. Other musicians, however, don’t necessarily distinguish between the recording studio and a dim venue packed with fans.

Miniature Tigers’ live set reminds the viewer why she chooses to take off the headphones, get off the couch and go to shows. There are some bands and artists who will keep you entertained from start to finish, even when they’re not using their instruments.

At the Rickshaw Stop, Miniature Tigers opened for Bishop Allen and surprised the audience by effectively busting out warm, vintage-soaked indie pop. And with even more surprise, the jovial Phoenix boys were also incredibly entertaining when they weren’t playing music, boasting hilarious stage banter that evoked a smile from even the most jaded hipster concert-goer. The ease with which the Tigers quibbled with each other and the audience demonstrated a deep-seated friendship and relaxed confidence in each other’s abilities to put on a excellent show. Everything about the band’s set was endearing – the sweet little pop gems, the dorky jokes between songs, the genuine energy, front man Charlie Brand’s ridiculously goofy and amazing Cosby sweater.

Miniature Tigers are on tour until early June. Their debut album, Tell it to the Volcano, is out now via Modern Art Records.

Tour dates:
4/29 – North Star Bar- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
4/30 – Ottobar- Baltimore, Maryland
5/1 – Alley Katz- Richmond, Virginia
5/2 – Local 506- Chapel Hill, North Carolina
5/3 – New Brookland Tavern- Columbia, South Carolina
5/4 – The Social- Orlando, Florida
5/5 – Orpheum- Tampa, Florida
5/6 – City Limits- Delray Beach, Florida
5/8 – Vinyl – Atlanta, Georgia
5/9 – Spanish Moon- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
5/10 – Warehouse Live- Houston, Texas
5/12 – Stubbs- Austin, Texas
5/13 – The Loft- Dallas, Texas
5/15- Phix- Phoenix, Arizona
5/16 – Voodoo Stage @ House of Blues- San Diego, California
5/17 – Troubadour – West Hollywood, California
5/18 – Bottom Of the Hill- San Francisco, California
5/20 – Hawthorne Theatre- Portland, Oregon
5/21 – Chop Suey- Seattle, Washington
5/23- Kilby Court- Salt Lake City, Utah
5/24 – Marquis Theatre – Denver, Colorado
5/26 – Jackpot Saloon- Lawrence, Kansas
5/27 – Picador- Iowa City, Iowa
5/28 -Triple Rock- Minneapolis, Minnesota
5/29 – Schuba’s- Chicago, Illinois
5/30 – Mac’s Bar- Lansing, Michigan
5/31- Grog Shop – Cleveland, Ohio
6/2 – Mohawk Place- Buffalo, New York
6/3 – El Mocambo- Toronto, Ontario
6/4 – Altar- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
6/5 – Webster Underground- Hartford, Connecticut
6/6 – TT The Bear’s- Cambridge, Massachusetts
6/7 – Music Hall of Williamsburg- Brooklyn, New York

- Review submitted by Anna Gazdowicz.