Judging by their radiant energy and joyous faces, there isn't anything more fun than being in the Polyphonic Spree. Red fabric canvassed the front of the Fine Line Cafe stage last night (July 10), and leader, vocalist Tim DeLaughter got things off to an endearing start by cutting a heart out of the middle. As the music crescendoed, two powerful gusts of confetti then exploded onto the crowd, setting the Dallas-based symphonic pop collective's vibrant display into motion. Barely fitting on stage, the 20-plus members' uplifting chorus soared, complete with choreographed hair-flying and head-bobbing, while offering Fragile Army cuts like "Running Away" and "Get Up and Go." Old favorites such as "Light and Day" and Tripping Daisy's "Sonic Bloom" were equally bright, but it was the Spree's sing-along of Nirvana's "Lithium" that led the audience to erupt like a junior-high schoolyard riot. As if this wasn't enough, the Polyphonic Spree parted a human sea as they returned for their encore, which included crowd surfing by DeLaughter himself. It was like a New Year's party had ended, complete with confetti-covered floor; quirky optimists spilled out into the night, satisfied and full of hope.
We asked: The Polyphonic Spree have switched up their signature white robes for military-style attire. If you had an entourage of 20-plus people, what kind of uniform would you have them wear?
Name: Sullie Fields
Age: 19
Hometown: Duluth, MN
Occupation: Shoe salesman/student
"Kilts and warpaint."
Name: Laura Tveite
Age: 22
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Occupation: Red Distribution/reps for Jesca Hoop
"Ninja outfits, because then no one would fuck with us."
Name: Andrew Dorothy
Age: 23
Hometown: Forest Lake, MN
Occupation: Struggling server/writer
"Assorted hats and paisley neckwear."
Name: Andrea Howells
Age: 24
Hometown: Faribault, MN
Occupation: Youth development project coordinator
"I'm getting married in a month so I'll say fun, springy dresses. Since that's what I told my bridesmaids."
Name: Ryan Worthley
Age: 19
Hometown: White Bear Lake, MN
Occupation: Environmental awareness canvasser/student
"Definitely tie-dye. It has to be homemade though."
Name: Shane Gassman
Age: 21
Hometown: Red Wing, MN
Occupation: Student/roofer/pharmacy tech
"Black and white polka dot dresses and full-length tuxedos."
Name: Mary Riley
Age: 31
Hometown: St. Paul, MN
Occupation: Manager of a designer accessory department
"Gold lame jumpsuits with a giant collar that frames the face -- jumpsuits are very in this summer."
Name: Carl Swanson
Age: 23
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Occupation: Artist
"Silver lame spacesuits with a lightning stripe down the center, and parachute pants with lots of pockets that can carry all sorts of things. Like cans of spray paint so we can blind people with our awesomeness."
Together, they're heavy / Photo by Stacy Schwartz
Polyphonic Spree leader Tim DeLaughter / Photo by Stacy Schwartz
The Fragile Army descends upon Minneapolis / Photo by Stacy Schwartz
Trumpeter Jay Jennings / Photo by Stacy Schwartz
DeLaughter, lifting his skinny fists likes antennas to heaven / Photo by Stacy Schwartz
