It Happened Last Night
Elf Power's Psychedelic Trip Hits Chicago.
CHICAGO: Southern pop rockers leave Subterranean in a delightful daze.
By Spin Staff 04.20.07 3:00 AM
Elf Power slid down Subterranean's spiral staircase to deliver a contained dream pop set, lush in psychedelic sensibility, delighting concertgoers with their Southern charm and modest demeanor Thursday night (April 19). Boisterous cheering and clapping from the scattered hippie-dancing crowd defied low attendance, yet fans' hypnotic gyration and longhaired swaying, particularly during moody post-punk tracks like "An Old Familiar Scene," split up Elf Power's usual folksy performance. "Come Lie Down With Me" had the country support of a Baez tune, while vocalist Andrew Rieger's voice followed a Paul Simon vein. Jimmy Hughes' guitar tremolo and Josh Lott's primal drumming forcefully carried the evening's show, while Heather McIntosh's melancholy cello closed the curtain. With more than a decade in the biz, it nice to see that Elf Power stays true to themselves -- their harmonious, peaceful vibe, a testament to the band's Elephant 6 heritage -- remains a classic. ANDREA HART / PHOTOS BY DIANA RICHTER
We asked: Which power do elves have?"
Name: Raychel Coleman
Age: 18
Hometown: Houston, TX
Occupation: Student
"They can be invisible."
Name: Alyssa Hoffman
Age: 18
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Occupation: Student
"Shoemaking."
Name: Sarah Gripshover
Age: 24
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Occupation: Works at University of Chicago
"Healing Power."
Name: Tim Froehle
Age: 26
Hometown: Cedar Falls, IA
Occupation: Works at University of Chicago
"Prowess with a longbow."
Name: Joshua Lott
Age: 30
Hometown: Athens, GA
Occupation: Elf Power drummer
"Midget Strength."
Name: Thomas Ricci
Age: 27
Hometown: Allentown, PA
Occupation: Artist
"The power to psychedelically mesmerize."
Name: Kristen Byrne
Age: 22
Hometown: Joliet, IL
Occupation: Student
"Hear really well because of their long ears."
Name: Miklos Simon
Age: 45
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Occupation: Artist/sculptor
"No fucking idea."
Elf Power fills Subterranean's 'cosmic space'
…Still clutching at phantom limbs after all these years
