Melanie Martinez w/ the Alvarez Kings
Showbox, Seattle, WA
02.20.16
The night opened with Alvarez Kings who played some spirited rock. They played their entire newly released four-song EP Fear to Feel and the response was phenomenal. Each song elicited screaming from the Martinez fans in the crowd who were lucky to even see the Alvarez kings after their gear was lost during multiple flight connections leading to Seattle, eventually it was found just in time for the show.
Next up was Melanie Martinez. After her show I was left with the simple question of “What on earth did I just see?” To quote the great warrior poet Tommy Boy “That was… AWESOME.” I don’t know if I could successfully describe the show that The Voice star Melanie Martinez puts on with just words, thank goodness there are images to accompany this.
The pink wardrobe, the giant illuminated kids’ letter blocks that spell out “Cry Baby,” toy dolls hanging from a mobile over the giant crib that Martinez began the show in while crying babies and rattle noises filled the air.
It was a sight to behold. As the music picked up and she left her crib she went immediately into the title track of her most recent album “Cry Baby.” From this point it became clear that her rabid fan base was present and that they would know the words to every song that she was going to sing.
While the drummer and keyboardist/guitarist wore adorable bear eared bonnets the screaming from the fans continued. I was grateful for the earplugs I had dutifully put in earlier to help keep the roar of a crowd to a dull murmur.
Review and photos by David Endicott
Melanie Martinez
Alvarez Kings
