Grimes: Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL 03/14/2012

Before beginning her sold-out set at Chicago’s Empty Bottle, Claire Boucher sheepishly asked her sound engineer, “Can we make it sound bigger in the room?” The crowd, clearly on her side, did his job for him by emitting deafening cheers and hollering. However, Boucher, better known as Grimes to her newly developed legions of followers, had something else in mind.

Cradling the microphone between her left shoulder and the crook of her neck, the 23 year-old Vancouver, BC native began turning nobs, playing chords and unleashing a series of screams that would provide the backdrop to what critics call "witch house," and has others searching for the appropriate classifiers. From someone whose influences range from Aphex Twin to Mariah Carey, it’s easy to understand why Grimes is sparking curiosity among indie-rock fans and pop aficionados alike.  Pausing to roll up the sleeves of an over-sized coat, which she would later remove to reveal a black shirt with a giant image of a cat’s head, Boucher eventually felt comfortable enough to face the audience and start the show.

It was hard to tell if she had just rolled out of a dumpster or stepped off the set of a high-fashion photo shoot, but it’s not her appearance that’s creating a healthy buzz around her latest album, 2012’s Visions. Everyone packed into the close quarters of the Empty Bottle were anxious and excited to have the chance to see if Boucher could recreate the extraterrestrial vocals that lisp, whistle and squeal over music full of snares and governed by reverb.

Watching Boucher perform is more like a behind-the-scenes look at how an astronaut mans a spaceship; just when you think she’s satisfied the looping and beat criteria for each song, she dives right back into her control pad to launch the tune in a completely new direction. On opening number “Symphonia IX (my wait is u),” a four-to-the-floor beat ushers in a dreamy soundscape with tribal chants, eventually welcoming the celestial refrain of “my wait is you” repeated and layered until the track safely lands where it began.

Much to the surprise of the crowd, the now familiar video-game chords of “Oblivion” began three songs into the set, and immediately turned the Wednesday night jam session into a Saturday night dance-off. Beefing up the intro with some added piano and an assist from opening band Born Gold, Boucher showed off the same freestyle dancing she does in the single’s now viral video. The crowd raised their hands and sang along during the pivotal line, ‘Cause when you’re really by yourself it’s hard to find someone to hold your hand,’ forcing a smile from the artist.

The dancing audience was clearly under Boucher’s spell. “Be a Body," another set highlight, was preceded with positive reception. Ironically, the song about abandoning technology and simply existing with yourself required some of the most elaborate sampling of the set. However, surveying the young men and women with their eyes glued forward, there wasn’t a cellphone in sight.

Boucher occupied the stage for just under an hour. It was clear that she came with the intention of playing her music and departing soon after. The somewhat awkward banter and audience interaction was likable, but hopefully as she performs for more audiences, she’ll loosen up slightly. Some of the most striking moments from her recent album failed to attend, especially those that spotlight Boucher as more of a vocalist. The energy of the show lulled toward the end, so Boucher closed the set with the unshakable “Nightmusic.”  Before beginning, Boucher thanked the audience for coming and made the disclaimer that she’s “not good at making songs work live.” Her fans vehemently disagreed by drowning out the singer’s last few words with applause.

When the noise died down, a helicopter synth informed everybody that they were about to sweat. Choral flourishes and a bounce-along beat created a sinister sound, while the vocals were drenched in echo, like a distant call from across a foggy sea. After a final drone, Boucher and her band left the stage with a wave of gratitude. If the reception at this show was any indication, she’ll find familiar faces at the next gig, Chicago and beyond.

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