Natives of Madison, Pale Young Gentlemen definitely have a local following. The band returned to their hometown Saturday night to participate in the city’s Second Annual Forward Music Festival.
They are an up-and-coming, energetic indie/folk band with a solid sound. The band is composed of five members. Among the members, there is an assortment of traditional and nontraditional instruments, including the keyboard, guitar, electric bass, drums, xylophone, tambourine, cello and violin. Huge shout out to the cello player, her playing was spectacular, giving depth to the band’s overall sound and perfectly complementing the electric bass and guitar.
One weak spot in the performance was the endings of a few of their songs. A few of the songs ended on a weird sound that was inconsistent with the rest of their full-bodied music and rounded sounds.
Overall, the band has a pleasant balance between voices, with the women’s voices providing a soft background to front man Michael Reisenauer’s stellar vocals. Michael is a shining and remarkable lead not only because he is an excellent performer, but also because he has a real, local connection with the audience. There is a real dialogue between the band and the audience.
The band’s energy is undeniable. The music is lively and the band members are passionate. You can’t help but want to join in on the excitement.
Pale Young Gentlemen are a force to be reckoned with. The band knows what they’re doing, they love what they’re doing and everyone can tell. They have a definite enthusiasm for their music and it shows in their performance. Let’s hope that we see more of them again soon. If you have a chance to see them perform make sure you take advantage of it.