Brooklyn-based band Asobi Sesku mesmerized Gardener Lounge on Thursday night. The hour-long set was carried by Yuki Chikudate’s doting warble and James Hanna’s symphonic guitar.
“Concerts decided to bring Asobi Seksu to Grinnell because of their stellar live reputation and pop sensibilities,” Pooj Padmaraj ‘13, Concerts Chair, said.
This reputation was upheld at the show. Yuki connected to the students right away when she prefaced the performance with a Japanese heralding. After this, the young Grinnellians were eager to follow her. When she raised her tambourine-wielding hand in the air she seemed to conduct a room full of air puppets, swaying to the distorted keyboard and wall of guitar.
There were times when Asobi Sesku dipped into a drifting shoegaze akin to Slowdive, but every time the tempo slowed and Nikes were coming into the eyes’ gaze, Yuki’s croon revived the pop.
Opener Apteka set the ambiance with face melting songs “Gargoyle Days” and “Striking Violet”.
It’s been said that good dreams are simultaneously exciting, relaxing, soothing and a little tingly on the spine. If Dream Pop conjures hectic dreams, then Yuki and James did well Thursday night.
