Matt and Kim
October 14, 2010
Culture Room, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Review and Photos by Katie Condon
I felt like an unfaithful woman running back to her wealthy man. I had abandoned Culture Room for Miami’s cheaper shows and almost forgot what it felt like to wait in a line.
Of course, there was a price to pay for my betrayal.
In all the years I’ve attended shows at Culture Room, Matt and Kim is the only band to prove my boss’ policy: “Early is on time, on time is late and late is unacceptable.” The show was park-on-another-street sold out, and I had to settle for meter parking.
Chris Farren - Fake Problems
During my leave of absence, some things remained the same, like kids claiming their spot for the night an hour before the show starts, and cheering on the sound engineers. But some things changed, like rap music flooding the venue and the presence of normal-looking people in place of scenester stoner glasses. (Had I really been gone that long?)
With Culture Room already full, Fake Problems opened the show. Although some already got their “drank” on and were loud socializing, the band received more respect than teens usually give openers. The band, out of Naples, had some South Florida fans who sang along to songs such as “Soulless” and “Songs for Teenagers” from their 2010 album Real Ghosts Caught on Tape and “Heart BPM” from It’s Great to Be Alive (2009). Although they had certain tracks that sounded like The Killers toned down, their stage presence outshined their songs.
Donnis
A short intermission was enough time for Culture Room to turn into one of Miami’s sketchy night clubs. With bass that shook my spinal cord and songs that could make Michelangelo’s “David” want to bust a move, I happily refrained from looking like an idiot. But let’s just say the other kids weren’t so conscious. These self-proclaimed “indie” children found themselves practically making love to just-as-drunk strangers and singing along to MTV’s latest top 10.
After the awkward break, Atlanta’s Donnis took the stage with a mission to convert us to avid hip hop listeners. Sure, it was strange to throw him in the mix, but the audience accepted him with hands and drinks raised.
"These self-proclaimed “indie” children found themselves practically making love to just-as-drunk strangers and singing along to MTV’s latest top 10."
Matt and Kim
With confidence to match his shiny boots, he sang songs like “Over Do it” off of Diary of an Atlanta Brave (2009). He interacted with the crowd and invited everyone to sing along. Most people couldn’t help at least mouthing the lyrics when he opened his last song with “Like a G6” by Far East Movement.
A longer break made anxious Matt and Kim lovers push to the front. However, this was the least violent I had ever seen a crowd before a headliner. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not complaining; a break from angsty teens hitting each other for fun was exactly what South Florida needed.
Matt and Kim ran out, stood on their seats and greeted the crowd like they were family. With genuine enthusiasm, they rushed into their set, which was sprinkled with old-school hits like “Better Off Alone” by Alice Deejay and “Just a Friend” by Biz Markie.
Matt and Kim
Songs like “Lessons Learned” from Grand (2009) and “Light Speed” from their 2006 self-titled album showed off their wide discography and pleased die-hard fans who knew every song.
The joy that Matt and Kim get from playing was obvious, as I could never catch Kim without a smile, and Matt couldn’t help doing the same when he looked at her.
In support of Sidewalks, their new album set to drop in November, Kim threw out balloons with the album name printed on them for the crowd to blow up and throw around. She also scared the security guard as she walked on kids, who held her up like cheerleaders.
They closed with their hit single, “Daylight,” the song that you just can’t listen to and remain in a bad mood. With no encore, I crossed the street to find an expired meter, but no ticket. I hope Culture Room can forgive me—I might just be around more often.
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