Lincoln Hall in Chicago has become a common haunt for Brooklyn-based band and purveyors of fun Rubblebucket. On Friday April 3rd the group took to the venue for the third time in as many years in support of their stellar fourth full length released in late 2014- Survival Sounds. Lincoln Hall suits Rubblebucket ideal with its superb sound and sight lines that allow the audience to integrate with the performance. After warming the crowd up with their latest single “On the Ground” Rubblebucket made sure everyone in attendance was ready to get crazy with the horn heavy “Silly Fathers”.
Alex Toth and Adam Dotson then showed their versatility by ditching their usual trumpet and trombone to lead a dual flute melody for “Sound of Erasing” off Survival Sounds. At one point during the proceedings the atmosphere was so free that a couple invited themselves up onstage for a quick make out session, prompting lead singer Kalmia Traver to censor them by throwing her ribbon laden costume over the duo.
The band continued through their set with several highlights, including their sunny take on post-hardcore legends Fugazi’s “Waiting Room”. As the show went on the group’s zany antics began to absorb the crowd into the music as members of the band displayed synchronized dance moves that the audience found contagious. Things kicked up a notch when Rubblebucket went into their first single“Came Out of a Lady” and invited out opening act Vacationer for while Traver and Toth crowd surfed back and forth. Towards the finale the ecstatic crowd was showered in confetti sprayed out by a leaf blower as Traver decided to take it to the next level as she rolled around in the confetti and threw it at those in the front rows. Eventually, the show culminated with the band leading a parade through the crowd while strings of balloons fell from above and the smiling flock danced along.
