Before the exploding ball of fun that is Fang Island played their first song, they instructed the crowd to have a high-fiving session. To show their approval of our efforts to be the best damn high-fivers they ever did see, they burst into their high energy set with “Careful Crossers.” It doesn’t have any lyrics; as a matter of fact, the band doesn’t use or need gobs of lyrics to get the message across that they are here to party. Their songs drive right into your core and fill it up until it overflows, and there’s nothing left to do but turn the good vibrations into dance moves to make room for more.

 

The bassist/keyboardist, Michael Jacober, has long, tightly-curled hair and looked like Jimmy Fallon dressed up as Pauly Shore’s character from Encino Man. One guitarist rocked a Simpsons t-shirt and the other had a hood the size of a net you see crazy people using to try to catch imaginary butterflies. Each of the five members have their own look and style, but man, once the music starts they all fall into the same solid groove.

 

In the midst of their clean yet rowdy set they can’t help playing their instruments above their heads and behind their backs. I suspect this uplifting and adventurous music usually causes spasms of energy and untamed outbursts from both the crowd and the band alike, just as it did at this show. Most of their self-titled debut was covered. Everyone but the drummer sang on “Illinois,” “Life Coach” was three minutes of teeter-totting with anticipation and wonderful payoffs and their infectious and almost hymn-like single—a song that would be perfect to listen to while opening all of your birthday presents as quickly as possible—“Daisy,” was played last, as expected. But then, the encore.

 

The entire show was all fun and energetic madness, but for the encore they brought the deeply emotional and kinda-sexy work of Ms. Mariah Carey to the table. “Always be my Baby” has those guitar riffs that sound like lyrics and nobody can help but sing the song in its entirety—and yes, everybody there knew the lyrics to this song. You can’t pretend Mariah Carey doesn’t have a special little place in your heart, and after seeing Fang Island perform, there’s no denying them a spot either. | Alex Schreiber