Image Copyright Mike JC
You may know him from his stellar performance as Dexter in the self-titled series as well as being celebrated for his many other often critically acclaimed acting credits, including in the rather stunning performance in the David Bowie composed musical Lazerus. Michael C. Hall is part of a talented trio of musicians who call themselves Princess Goes To The Butterfly Museum, tonight was all about the music.
The band consists of the aforementioned Hall on vocals, guitarist and keyboardist Matt Katz-Bohen also known for his work with Blondie, the trio completed by drummer Peter Yanowitz, co-founder of indie group Morningwood as well as working with a long list of musicians across the genres from Yoko Ono to Andrew W.K.
The night started with support from the Bridgend based band Fire Fences, a talented outfit whose energy and catchy anthems did well in readying the crowd for the headline act.
From the moment Princess Goes to the Butterfly Musem took the stage there was an excitement, a gleeful look etched on Hall’s face as they dove into a set featuring tracks from their debut album Thanks For Coming with some newer tracks sprinkled into their setlist. There was real momentum felt with each delivery, song after song flowing from the stage to our ears in rapid succession, the energy at the venue benefiting from this relentless pace. Songs such as Eat an Eraser and the pulsating Nevertheless receive applause and cheers from the crowd, much to the delight of Hall, whose childlike excitement was infectious, a feeling of real enjoyment from both him and his bandmates after what has been a long and arduous road back for live music during the COVID-19 era.
As a frontman Hall fills the stage with personality as well as an impressive vocal range, Yanowitz on percussion providing bombast and subtly in equal measure alongside the often entrancing electronic melodies of Katz-Bohen.
Other notable tracks included the more industrial The Deeper Down, the anthemic Airhead and a rather fantastic cover of Phantogram’s Cruel World. You can no doubt detect some David Bowie influence in the sonic banquet provided as well as some Nine Inch Nails & Giorgio Moroder respectively, but all of this is constructed in such a way it is undoubtedly all their own.
Image Copyright Mike JC
Forgoing an encore, in his own words Hall stated they would “skip the going on and off bit” and proceeded to treat us to two more songs followed by sincere thanks to us all in attendance. In what felt like the blink of an eye the band were gone, such was the pace of their set. During the 75 minutes of high-quality entertainment, Hall took to talking sparingly, but on those rare occasions, he spoke to the crowd with a distinct feeling of humility and playfulness in his interactions, all of which were very well received by those of us in attendance. I for one hope they bring the butterfly museum on tour here again soon.
Review Mike JC
Highlights:
Eat an Eraser
Nevertheless
The deeper down
Airhead
Cruel World (Phantogram cover)
All Images Copyright Mike JC