Even an almost-empty venue can have a spirit of its own. The lucky 30-odd attendees of the together PANGEA show at the Headrow House were in for a delightful treat.
together PANGEA
Openers Thee MVPs, hailing from London (but featuring a San Diego-local bassist, Joel Currie), delivered punchy, danceable psychedelic guitar rock to an unfortunately sparsely-populated room. Their riotous and brash music was able to get even the quietest of rooms at least nodding along. The members were cheerful despite the crowd. Guitarist Charlie Wyatt jokingly invited them forward “out of the mist; it’s like Stranger Things.” Self-described “Thames Pop,” referencing the grime of the London river and the ear-pleasing catchiness of pop music, Thee MVPs seem like the kind of band that knows exactly how to have a whirlwind of a good time.
The crowd did not grow for together PANGEA’s set, but their tangible excitement did as they crowd the front of the small stage, ready for an absolute riot that was promised from the band’s most recent full-length release, Bulls and Roosters. Each song seemed to rile up the crowd even more, shouting become more violent as they lunge towards singer/guitarist William Keegan. A mosh pit slowly grew, encircled more and more of the crowd until all were included. Slower song “Alison,” written by bassist Danny Bengston, featured assistance by Thee MVPs drummer, George Rothman, as PANGEA’s Erik Jimenez sings along.
Despite the more-mature songs of their newest production, together PANGEA knows how to cater to fan favorites. “Too Drunk to Cum” got Wyatt clinging to the rafters and a bow from the front-rowers as guitarist Adrian Chi Tenney delivered filthy blasts of guitar riffs. On the last song, the crowd chanted “Speech! Speech! Speech!” at Keegan, who simply said, “This is my speech,” and launched into “Sick Shit.” The rowdiest mosh pit of the night ensues, with the crowd flailing their arms and feet during the punchy hook.