Helsinki, the capital of Finland. Oh how we love Finlandia! Friday night rain couldn’t stop these Aussies from formally educating NY on how they build correct dance pop in their own tunes. “These Aussies,” being the band Architecture in Helsinki. And though one has nothing to do with the other, they came to Irving Plaza ready to rock the night away. With a loyal fan base on their side (including Brazilian soap star Carol Portes), the fab five from outback yonder programmed the crowd’s mind to GROOVE.
If you weren’t alive in the 80’s, going to an AIH show is like stepping back to that weird special moment in our universe’s existence. They even wore their sunglasses at night! Getting into it with “Denial Style,” Kellie Sutherland brought out her Debbie Harry/Madonna vibe, which was fittingly matched by lead singer Cameron Bird’s Prince feel. Throw in the rest of the fellas adding their electro synthed-out funk and punk, and dancing was the lone result.
Now it’s one thing for us to dance, but it’s a whole nother when the band Jackson 5’s it out; make no mistake — these Australian’s have soul. Case in point was the smooth jam “Everything’s Blue.” Fuck the 80’s, they took it straight to a Future Sex / Love Sounds level. It was highly unexpected, greatly appreciated and made dance the unspoken theme of the night. “Lazy,” brought out simple LCDish dance beats, while the lively “Escapee” track, officially took us time traveling through the decade of decadence.
And in our travels we visited energetic drum solos (where our drummer attempted failed fun flips of drumsticks), choreographed dances took place and more Regan Era musical pleasantries were dialed up. We then went to what could only be described as a fan’s paradise, as AIH played “I Know Deep Down,” “Debbie” and “Do the Whirlwind.” “Debbie” brought with it rousing horn and sax action, and the last song on this list received arguably the biggest applause of the night. Carol Portes couldn’t contain her excitement! Brazil!
The trio of songs that were the encore united all the lovers in the house, but the evening culminated with Austramaican island rhythms via “Heart it Races.” Insanity ensued, as the whole crowd chanted “Boam, Boam,” and other island like words, all along getting caught up in the uncontrollable storm known as jumping around. When all was said and done, the AIH hurricane had blasted everyone in it’s path, forcing the band members to stick around to help the fans recover from the very wreckage they caused. We have no idea about the actual architecture in Helsinki proper, but as for the band — shit’s structurally sound.
Writer: Del Toro Alma
Photographer: Katie Henry
SETLIST
1. Desert Island
2. Hold Music
3. Denial Style
4. That Beep
5. Lion
6. YR Go To
7. Everything’s Blue
8. Lazy
9. Sleep Talkin’
10. Escapee
11. Wishbone
12. W.O.W.
13. I know Deep Down
14. Debbie
15. Do the Whirlwind
16. Contact High
ENCORE
17. It’s 5!
18. B4 3D
19. Heart It Races
