THE DRESDEN DOLLS + Die Mannequin @ Le National

By Abby E. Schachter - The Kids Are So-So - 01/03/2008

I can’t tell you how happy and relieved I was when the Dresden Dolls concert was over -- yes over! Not only were they better live then on record but both Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione threw themselves into the music, thrashing to the beat of every song. I had such high hopes for the band I loved so much and was terrified that I would leave disappointed. Fortunately, that was not the case and instead, I gained a newfound respect for these two self-proclaimed “insane” artists. The Dresden Dolls concert has to be one of the most entertaining shows I have ever seen. The opening acts ranged from young rockers and Canadian folk music to a circus act. Not only did Palmer introduce every act, she also watched each performance while singing along happily backstage.

Die Mannequin, one of the opening acts from Toronto, knew how to work the audience and played an energized performance. The lead singer plunged into the crowd and played guitar right next to audience members (I being one of them). She also chose two random girls to jump onstage and sing along with her. Next was a circus performer without definition. He twirled within a large hula hoop…which was interesting, and everyone seemed awe struck. Also, there was a surprise performance by an up-and-coming folk band from Montréal (I can’t remember their name for some reason) that played one song. The crowd was confused at first but Palmer said she had come across the band on Myspace and thought that they were “explicit word awesome!” Giving chances to new talent seems to be a recurring element for The Dresden Dolls. Both Viglione and Palmer are happy to share the spotlight and help struggling artists get some recognition, and it is this generosity that has made me love the Dolls even more.

As for The Dresden Dolls, they played a near-flawless performance that left the crowd screaming for more theatrics. These dolls are true entertainers. The two-member band made up of keyboards and drums is anything but predictable. Viglione and Palmer are brilliant together and their chemistry and love of music shines through onstage. Costumes, lights, expressive face exaggerations -- it was pure show! The punk cabaret band connected to the audience and laughed along with the cat calls and looked as though they really were having fun. Though both had colds, you’d never know it from their performance, which captured the attention of everyone in the room. The venue was small and full, people crowded around the stage singing and clapping along. The set list ranged from a Pink Floyd cover to their older stuff like “Girl Anachronism,” “Bad Habit,” “Half Jack” and “Coin-Operated Boy.” Once the show was over, the audience screamed out in protest, stamping their feet, clapping their hands and yelling “ENCORE!” Le National’s old floorboards literally shook with enthusiasm. There were so many other songs we wanted to hear, like “Delilah,” “Backstabber,” “Dirty business,” “The Jeep Song” and “Slide.” After much noise, Viglione came back onstage followed by Palmer, and the two finished off the show with an insanely awesome rendition of “Amsterdam.” The only disappointment of the night was the fact that the show had finally come to an end.

Afterwards, Viglione came out to sign autographs (Palmer was sick) and he seemed sincerely interested in his fans, taking pictures with them and signing numerous T-shirts and tickets. He also gave me an amazing one-on-one interview which you will soon be able to see and hear in the near future! So stay tuned to The Kids Are So-So for in a depth look at The Dresden Dolls: Behind the Theatrics...

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