When Chicano Batman hit Portland on Friday night it was only the second stop of their tour, but already the group was on fire. It was also a cause for celebration as they prepare to release their new album Freedom Is Free and they managed to sell out the 500-capacity Star Theater. Both the crowd and the band were in high spirits, and it came across in the music.
The tour stop also proved to be a special night for opening act 79.5. This is the Brooklyn group’s first tour ever, although you hardly would’ve known it by their tight set. 79.5 are fronted by three charismatic females, each with their own set of talents. Both in their sound and their fashion choices, their set harkened back to disco. Seductive harmonies and light-hearted grooves made the music sexy and danceable. The addition of a flute on several songs injected a different, more enticing element into the music. The band as a whole was flawless in their performance, an impressive feat given their short time on the road.
Looking dapper as always, the four members of Chicano Batman took the stage with celebratory smiles. They have a brand new album on the way, after all, which they would lean heavily on throughout the set. Songs like “Passed You By”, the bouncy bass and positive message of title track “Freedom Is Free”, and the playful crooning of “Jealousy” all kept the audience constantly moving and smiling. Perhaps the largest crowd response came from what may be the album’s catchiest song, “Friendship (Is a Small Boat in a Storm)”. It gave this writer a tingly sensation hearing the slinky organ hook and the interaction between singer Bardo Martinez and the harmonious background singers of 79.5. With a funky guitar layered throughout, the song is the best embodiment of what makes this band so special. The thick prog-rock funk and swooning soul of “Angel Child” also was a hit, making for one of the more sultry moments of the night. “Black Lipstick” – arguably the band’s best-known song with its hip-hop organ groove and infectious chorus – received the biggest response.
The turnout on Friday night in Portland was only further proof that Chicano Batman are quickly becoming a marquee act. Their swirling concoction of psych rock, soul, funk, and Latin sounds strike a chord as something that is simultaneously new and retro. More importantly, their message of togetherness, love, and appreciation of all cultures is one that resonates now more than ever. If anything, their sold out show in Portland on Friday night was one more little sign that people from all cultures will always be unified by art and love.
