Roads? Where I went Monday night I didn't need any roads. I took a musical trip forward through time and I have now seen three distinct visions of the future. At least that's what it felt like at the Bluebird Theater, hearing three artists perform groundbreaking electronic music that almost sounded ahead of it's time. Almost. That was the beauty of the whole night, that even though each artist was presenting something wildly different from the norm, it was never something so crazy or alien that I couldn't relate to it or take in its energy. In fact, when it was all over, it left me craving for more.

Purity Ring

Up first was the Canadian self-proclaimed future pop duo Purity Ring. Before beat maestro Corrin Roddick and vocalist Megan James even set foot on stage, the group's stage setup had the early crowd abuzz with conversation. In the background was a large tricolor sheet of fabric - coral, azure, and tangerine. In the foreground was a large freestanding bass drum on one side and on the other side a table with a sampler/effects machine and a crazy copper pipe contraption with several jutted ends capped with what almost looked like marshmallows on each end.

Purity Ring

The house lights faded and Purity Ring crept out onto stage; both dressed as if they had just returned to their homestead after spending a day tending to their duties on the old wild frontier. A dim spotlight on a stand brought Megan James to light, while Corrin Roddick moved mechanically behind his copper creation, made to look even crazier as the marshmallow-like ends began to glow. The whole visual package was like peering into a surrealistic vision of a steampunk science fiction fantasy - a twisted alternate universe where the future and past collide.

Megan James of Purity Ring

An ambient electro orchestral sound began to fill the room, augmented by Megan James' crisp, soothing, yet ghostly angelic voice. Soon, Corrin Roddick began to drum on his magnificent machine, bringing to life a multitude of sounds - peculiar synths, weird pops, digital clanks. He layered those sounds over futuristic dirty south hip-hop meets darkwave electropop beats. Megan James' continued to hauntingly coo the crowd with her voice and sporadically add to the sound by beating the bass drum. Not only did Corrin Roddick commandeer his piecework machine, but he would manipulate Megan James' vocals and samples with his effects box, creating a stunning stutter sound with her voice and other wicked filtered noises.

Megan James of Purity Ring

Purity Ring's set consisted of eight incredible songs that all featured their unique style of futuristic electropop. I was impressed with their ability to put on a varied and captivating set despite only having three songs released so far. "Belispeak" and "Lofticries" appeared early in their set to the delight of the crowd. They included a tweaked remix of S.C.U.M.'s "Summon the Sound" and a few other new tracks before closing with the song that started all the madness, "Ungirthed". It was one of the most bedazzling and enrapturing audio and visual experiences I've seen, and I absolutely cannot wait for a Purity Ring full-length album.  Do whatever it takes to catch Purity Ring the next time there is a concert near you, it'll blow your mind.

Com Truise

Next up was Princeton, New Jersey's synthwave extraordinaire, Com Truise. Visually, Com Truise kept his setup simple, as he took place behind keyboard synthesizers and effects boxes while a live drummer accompanied him to the side. With the efficiency of an air traffic controller, he began playing keys, hitting buttons, flipping switches and twisting knobs to create his incredible slow-mo synth funk. His atmospheric slow club sound was like what would happen if you could ask a Nintendo console to DJ a VIP party in the champagne room - slow, funky synthetic sex grooves with a futuristic digital texture but with the familiarity and flair of the 1980s.

Com Truise

Com Truise played a flowing set that featured a mix of songs from Cyanide Sisters, Galactic Melt, and Fairlight. He began his set with an atmospheric intro before delving into his slow funk. Rather than detracting from Com Truise's futuristic digital sound, the addition of live drum accompaniment added more pop to Com Truise's soundscape, making it that much easier to latch onto his steady grooves. He played the you-let-me-violate-you steady pulsing bass drum track "Polyhurt" and then played the space cruise party jams "Slow Peels" and "Iwywaw". From there, he played a trio of songs from his full length in order, "VHS Sex", "Cathode Girls" and "Air Cal".

Com Truise

Com Truise then mixed it up again, playing my favorite track "Brokendate" complete with it's ethereal synth melody and enthralling bass line before dropping one of his vinyl only tracks. That track, "Colorvision", was definitely a standout, with a bass line so driving, heavy, and full of filthy funk, it was almost obscene. As far as I know, that song is only available on the limited 12" version of Fairlight, which is available at The Ghostly Store. Com Truise wrapped up his set with two more tracks from his full length, "Futureworld" and the mood-ridden synth epic "Glawio". Com Truise put on quite a magnificent retro-futurist set that really captured the crowd, and if electro synth-funk is your thing, Com Truise should top your list.

Alan Palomo of Neon Indian

Neon Indian had the honors of being the final headlining act for an incredible night of electronic music, and they were met with a rabid crowd who could barely wait to get a dose of their unique sound. Although Neon Indian is originally the product of Alan Palomo, he tours with the help of a four-member backing band. I have to admit, the first time I heard Psychic Chasms I wasn't immediately sold. I wasn't quite ready for the complex electronic arrangements and before I saw Neon Indian live for the first time this summer, I expected it'd be another tired display of some guy behind a laptop. But that is not at all what Neon Indian is about.

Neon Indian

The Neon Indian live experience is a bit different than the album experience, but it still manages to maintain the same feel and identity. For Monday night's show, Neon Indian had Alan Palomo on vocals and keyboards along with other band members on guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, and sampler/sequencer/effects. Together, it all translated into an electro synthpop sound with a human analog aesthetic, bridging the gap and presenting the best of both worlds. You still get all the quirky glitchy noise pop elements present in Neon Indian's sound, but it is presented in a way that makes the experience far more organic, and the band knows how to put on an incredible live show.

Neon Indian

Before Neon Indian took the stage, they built up incredible anticipation. A droning ambient sound filled the venue and slowly built up, like the sound of space ship preparing for take off, while scattered monolithic pieces covered in wires and glowing multi-colored lights flickered among the stage. Smoke billowed out over the whole stage as the house lights came on and the members of Neon Indian took their spots. They started their set with a selection from Psychic Chasms, the happy-go-lucky psychedelic electro track "Terminally Chill". Alan Palomo completely engaged the crowd as he began to dance wildly and sing, exuding incredible stage presence. Right from the beginning it looked like he and his band were having the time of their lives, and that energy spilled over immediately onto the crowd.

Alan Palomo of Neon Indian

Neon Indian then moved on to two songs off the new album Era Extraña, the catchy synth odyssey "Polish Girl" and indie rock meets noise pop "Hex Girlfriend". The funky but chill "Mind, Drips" was next before going forward in time with "Future Sick". "6669 (I Don't Know If You Know)" evoked a retro feel with it's new wave sensibilities, before mellowing out once more with "Fallout" and "Psychic Chasms". Although summer is over, the next song "Deadbeat Summer" definitely brought the heat. Neon Indian then wrapped up their regular set with another synth-funk meets glitchy new wave song, "Ephemeral Artery".

Neon Indian

Of course, the crowd wouldn't let Neon Indian leave so easily, and Neon Indian could not quite call it quits just yet. Earlier in the show, Neon Indian had mentioned that Monday's Denver crowd was one of the largest and wildest they've had on tour so far, and that crowd all came together to scream, yell and clap for Neon Indian to play some more. "You know what, we're just going to be honest we want to play you guys one more song if that's cool," said Alan Palomo as the band returned to the stage to a chorus of cheers. Neon Indian started with the instrumental build-up track "Heart: Decay" as the crowd clapped their hands to the beat. Then suddenly, Neon Indian broke into "Should Have Taken Acid With You" as the crowd erupted, sang along, and danced like there was no tomorrow.

Alan Palomo of Neon Indian

Even if you aren't sure about the unique things Alan Palomo does production wise on his albums, if you are a fan of electronic music and are looking for a high energy dance party, Neon Indian should not be overlooked. The live experience is amazing, and the energy that the band plays with is incredibly contagious. Neon Indian's music translates incredibly well to a live band, making for a very accessible blend of both digital and analog music that is unlike any other electronic based act I've seen, and bodes well for the future of electronic music.

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