Attending a concert can often be a game of luck. You go hoping that the artist plays all your favorite songs but there exists a good chance some of your preferred tunes might be cut in favor of newer songs from the new album the act tours behind (an album you may not rank among their best work). Sometimes crowd energy and set-time length pad a set so that some of your favorite songs sneak their way for a few minutes to shine. Cut Copy’s show at the Ritz epitomized winning and losing the game of luck.
Straight off appearances at festivals such as Bonnaroo and Governor’s Ball, the Australian quintet descended upon Ybor City on June 18th for a night to celebrate their recent album Free Your Mind. While the setlist included some seminal hits from previous works, the show’s reliance on material from their admittedly weaker album prevented the band from truly shining.
Classixx and Delta Heavy provided opening support and perhaps stole the show. LA-based duo Classixx, benefitting from an LED screen displaying summery and psychedelic imagery, performed songs primarily from their beloved album Hanging Gardens. The nu-disco duo’s use of keyboards, drum machines, and launchpads gave tracks like “Holding On” new life. Flat synths suddenly sprung to life with extra flourish, evolving simple notes into grand flurries of saccharine beats. Nile Delta DJ'ed during intermission, crafting a quick set filled with tech house jolted by nu-disco vocals.
Cut Copy’s entrance interestingly lacked any build of suspense. They emerged the moment Nile Delta’s set ended and dove straight into an impeccable performance of “We Are Explorers.” Frontman Dan Whitford’s voice, a nostalgic amalgamation of vocals heard in one-hit wonders from the '80s, hit all the notes with precise abandon. Once the opening notes of “Take Me Over” emanated from the Ritz’s exemplary sound system, all crowd inhibition disappeared.
Up ‘til the third song, the disco-meets-tribal jam “Free Your Mind," the band’s plain-white backdrop stared blankly at the audience. This blank design purposely morphed once “Free Your Mind” began, now comprising of a deep blue color and simply outfitted with the title of the track spread across the middle. This Aussie band certainly compelled Tampa to dispense with all its setbacks and dance the night away.
The meat of the setlist formed a balance between tracks off the heralded In Ghost Colours and weaker entries from Free Your Mind, both a blessing and a curse. Songs like “Let Me Show You Love” allowed drummer Ben Browning to beat at his cymbals with his hands, a fitting embellishment when set against the trippy, spiraling visuals. While Whitford spread his arms wide in sincere appreciation during “Meet Me In The House Of Love," the audience clearly craved upbeat hits like “Hearts On Fire” (the track which elicited the loudest cheers from the crowd).
Luckily, the encore ended the show on a high note. The downtempo refrain of "Feel the Love" inspired the crowd to sing along and conjure up enough energy for the appropriate finale of “Need You Now.” As the band built toward the crescendo, arms and legs waved and scuffled respectively.
Ultimately, the band’s greatest strength lies in its dedication to deftly recreating their most-cherished songs for a live performance. While the setlist fairly represented their albums (excluding their debut Bright Like A Neon Love), the offerings from Free Your Mind failed to translate into their characteristically energetic live show and bogged down the more noteworthy selections. Still, Cut Copy continues to create some of the best synth-pop around, and should not be glossed over when they come back around the area.