Amsterdam, The Netherlands – After a five-year wait, Kishi Bashi finally returns with a brand-new studio album. Kantos, released this August, is the long-anticipated follow-up to 2019’s Omoiyari. While Omoiyari leaned heavily into symphonic folk, Kantos brings a more eclectic and celebratory vibe, drawing influences from ’70s funk, city rock, and orchestral rock. Reflecting on the inspiration behind the album, Kishi Bashi shared the following on his website:
“If there’s anything I want people to come away with when they hear this record, it’s a feeling of excitement about the possibilities of human-created art. Even as we’re learning more about all the amazing things AI can do, I think humans will always be one step ahead in terms of our creativity and innovation. There’s still no limit to what we have to offer. At it’s core, Kantos is a party album about the possible end of humanity as we know it, at turns deeply and sublimely joyful.”
The Kantos tour is still in its early days, and tonight Amsterdam had its turn. Opening the show, Kishi Bashi brought along the British band Sweet Loretta as the support act. Sweet Loretta, an alternative pop band with a high-energy dance vibe, released their debut album No Small Parts earlier this year. However, they performed on stage as if they’ve been in the game for years. The joy and enthusiasm they exuded were infectious, drawing the audience right in.
Alongside tracks from their debut album, such as “Run Run Run” and “Make Ur Legs Go”, they also treated the crowd to new material, including one song that was written just last week. At one point, the band brought up Tall Tall Trees (Mike Savino), who is also part of Kishi Bashi’s live band, to perform one of his songs together. Sweet Loretta proved to be an excellent warm-up act for tonight and we’ll undoubtedly hear more about them in the future.
What I hadn’t expected was to see them again so soon! They joined Kishi Bashi as part of his live band. The concert began with the short “Violin Akai” as an intro, followed by “Chiba Funk” and “Late Night Comic” – all tracks from the new Kantos album. Right from the start, Kishi Bashi brought a whirlwind of energy and enthusiasm, pulling the audience in with ease. By the time “It All Began With A Burst” was played, the crowd was already dancing wildly.
Throughout the evening, the connection with the audience was palpable. Kishi Bashi took the time to share personal stories and sprinkle in humorous anecdotes between songs, making the show feel intimate despite the lively energy. These moments of interaction made the audience feel like more than just spectators; they were part of the experience.
The evening was rich with dynamics. After an exhilarating set, the band stepped off stage, leaving Kishi Bashi alone to perform acoustic versions of “I Am The Antichrist To You” and “This Must Be The Place” (a Talking Heads cover). These quieter moments allowed the audience to catch their breath and fully appreciate his artistry.
When the band returned, the performance took a theatrical turn. During “Escape From Knossos” and “Icarus IV”, a Icures was dancing across the stage, wings swirling as part of the spectacle. The crowd was brought back to a frenzy with “The Ballad of Mr. Steak” and “Philosophize In It! Chemicalize In It!” – songs that had the floor vibrating under the collective energy of the audience. Ending the set “Honeybody” was played.
For the encore, the band went into the middle of the crowd, performing several songs entirely acoustically. They began with “Penny Rabbit and Summer Bear” – a perfect choice for this intimate setting. Lit almost exclusively by the glow of audience members’ phone flashlights, the moment was magical. After “Manchester” they played a cover of Faces “Ooh La La” before briefly returning to the stage to officially end the concert.
Beyond the joy and passion Kishi Bashi brings to his performances, each song is crafted and executed with incredible precision. His ability to seamlessly blend theatrical storytelling, dynamic energy, and intimate connection makes his concerts unforgettable. Two years ago, when Kishi Bashi last performed in Amsterdam, I said it, and I’ll say it again: if you ever have the chance to see him live, don’t hesitate an go. Trust me — you won’t regret it!
Sweet Loretta
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Kishi Bashi
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Setlist
Violin Akai
Chiba Funk
Late Night Comic
It All Began With A Burst
Can’t Let Go, Juno
Carry On Phenomenon
Colorful State
I Am The Antichrist To You
This Must Be The Place (Talking Head cover)
Escape From Knossos
Icarus IV
Hahaha pt.2
Lilliputian Chop
The Ballad Of Mr. Steak
Philosophize In It! Chemicalize In It!
Honeybody
Penny Rabit And Summer Bear
Manchester
Ooh La La (Faces cover)
Show Date 20/11/2024
