Matt & Kim’s live shows are always exuberant, out-of-control dance parties (photo by twi-ny/mdr)
Webster Hall, Grand Ballroom
125 East Eleventh St. between Second & Third Aves.
Tuesday, October 26, and Wednesday, October 27, $17, 7:00
212-353-1600
www.websterhall.com
www.myspace.com/mattandkim
Over the last few years, keyboardist Matthew Johnson and drummer Kimberly Schifino have grown from local darlings to a beloved internationally recognized act. They met at Pratt and started playing together in 2004, growing a cult following that blew up after the success of their 2009 disc, GRAND. Better known simply as Matt & Kim, they’re back with their latest release, SIDEWALKS (Fader, November 2), which so far has been teased with the lead single, “Cameras,” but you’ll be able to hear the entire album prior to each of their shows this week at Webster Hall. Inspired by Gnarls Barkley’s crossover success with the monster hit “Crazy,” on the new album Matt & Kim have gone a long way toward capturing the infectious exuberance of their live shows, fun dance parties led by their never-ending smiles and Kim standing on top of her drum kit and crowd surfing. SIDEWALKS, which clocks in at ten songs in a brisk thirty-five minutes, is another good-time record, from the rollicking “AM/FM Sound” to the nearly anthemic “Cameras,” which has all kinds of things going on in it. One of the keys to Matt & Kim’s attraction is that they put up no barriers, physical or psychological, between themselves and their adoring audience. In fact, they can be seen at outdoor gigs watching themselves on the screens behind them as if they can’t believe they’re the ones on the stage, playing to thousands of ardent admirers also not afraid to release their inner geek. “These years they come and go / but today is here to stay / I think I know / I know where you’re coming from,” Matt sings on “Where You’re Coming From,” furthering the connection between performer and listener. The Webster Hall shows offer a great chance to catch the endearing duo in a smaller, relatively intimate setting after their headlining gig at this summer’s Siren Festival, and tickets are only seventeen bucks. Atlanta rapper Donnis will open both shows.