A bunch of interesting characters drank beer and tried to figure out the best way to move to Ratatat's special brand of electronic rock at the Corner Hotel on Monday night. The New York duo (Mike Stroud and Evan Mast)
looked a little like twinsies on the stage and opened with the
slow-building epic 'Shiller' during which you couldn't help thinking,
"Grandma just wouldn't get this."
The hipsters (including Mr Zany Dancer and Miss Woah! Mushrooms) lost
their shit during 'Mirando' and were in awe of the sounds coming from
just two musicians – the pair played guitars, electric drums, bongoes,
what looked a lot like a giant kazoo, as well as looking well after the
turntables. Ratatat's signature oddball video played behind them – eagles, budgies, ABBA, Predator,
flashing lights and shadows aplenty – and the musicians' thrusting rock
gestures all became a little too much for Miss Kooky Two-Step at
moments.
With no lyrics in their songs, it was an almost wordless performance
with "hi", "thank-you" and "yeah" completing the band's witty banter
with the crowd. Cliched as it is, they seemed to soley rely on their
music to speak for them.
PS. It pretty much spoke volumes.