The Mowgli’s w/ Mainland
The Crocodile, Seattle, WA
03.20.18
There seems to be an infinite number of sunny indie pop bands out there, and with Seattle as such a big tour stop, it feels like we get to see them all. So, when California six-piece The Mowgli’s announced their return to the Pacific Northwest, it sounded like another night of happy music to match the smiles of the crowd.
On these smaller indie tours that come through little clubs like The Crocodile, opening acts can be really hit or miss. Sometimes they make you question why in the world you thought it was a good idea to stand in a crowded dark venue for an extra hour before getting to see the people you actually wanted to see. But the hour before The Mowgli’s set was quite the opposite. Mainland, a little band from the other coast, made the absolute most out of their opening slot, and I have no idea how they aren’t more popular right now. Their sound is like a heavier, more nostalgic, and generally darker sound than most indie pop/rock; these guys put a grungier vibe on it all.
“Beggars” gave the crowd a sense of the “don’t stop, don’t give up” optimism to come later in the night with the headliners, but still with a slightly harsher sound on it, a beautiful contradiction with a tune ready to be played on repeat. “I Found God,” the group’s closing song, wrapped it all up very nicely. The track closed the set with the intensity and passion that lingers in all their other songs and honestly made me wonder where these guys came from because they need to come back around very soon.
When The Mowgli’s finally came on stage, the room was instantly filled with the love, peace, and positivity that the group preaches. Opening with “Bad Dream” and “Spacin Out,” the band set the bar pretty high right off the bat.
And while their music certainly drew in the sold-out crowd, their vibe is really what kept everyone enthralled. Each song carried a very light and carefree energy, reflected by the band itself. As each member sang or played their instrument, genuine smiles were stuck on their faces, laughs interrupted lyrics, and it was just impossible not to be happy while watching it all happen.
After a really intimate and touching cover of SZA’s “Supermodel,” the band got back to their own material with the anthemic “I’m Good.” Throughout their set, they also talked a lot about how much they deeply believe in spreading the love and positivity that seemed to be so apparent that night. They explained that if we all spent a little more time simply being nice to each other, the world would easily be a much better place—which was, of course, met with a lot of applause and many cheers.
Finally finishing with “San Francisco,” as Mainland came back on to dance around, the floor bounced and voices were lost in the excitement that came with the end of the set and carried out well after the show.
Review and photos by Lulu Dawson
The Mowgli’s
Mainland
