Maps & Atlases

It’s always fascinating to dissect the audience at shows, whether you’re sussing out the number of plaid shirts or the ratio of men to women but one thing was strangely apparent – Maps & Atlases sure had an alarming amount of ‘frat boys’ in their fan club present at Saturday night’s show at the Horseshoe.

New York indie pop-rockers drew significantly less rowdy men but maybe their sugary sweet Scandinavian retro melodies just didn’t appeal to them as much. The New York band, clad with shaggy haired members including free-spirited lead singer Madeline Follin were joyous and fun despite the last minute arrival to the venue. The half hour set oozed with a shimmery summer sound bound to sit nicely next to the likes of the Concretes or the Shangri Las. Having barely been a band for a year, the group still needs a lot of maturing and fine-tuning but it’s an act I’d gladly revisit and keep an ear on.

By the time Chicago rockers Maps & Atlases took the stage, the aforementioned frat boys cozied up to the front, loudly displaying their excitement with countless shouts and cheers fueled by sweat, beer and general enthusiasm for music – all great indications of a good show at the Horseshoe.

The quartet’s rhythmically intricate songs proved challenge-free for the frenzied crowd dancing along to the frantic riffs of “Pigeon” and “Witch”. Lead singer Dave Davison conducted razor sharp riff after another, showing off his phenomenal skills on guitar while bassist Shiraz Dada shined on the sidelines, tip toeing around almost as meticulously as the wild rhythms hopping around onstage. Musically fascinating and even more captivating live, Maps & Atlases have proven through many opening slots at shows in Toronto that they deserve the spotlight and can draw their own crowds. I don’t even mind the loud drunken cheers that much because with this band, it’s worth it.

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MySpace (Maps & Atlases): http://www.myspace.com/mapsandatlases