Minus the Bear

And this is where we get to the more fun part of the show. Though they haven’t always been as such, Seattle-bred electronic-infused indie act have gotten significantly more sing-along inducing recently. Though, like Manchester, they don’t shy away from going to some of those darker places sonically, it’s pretty hard to not feel stoked on life by the end of one of their sets. Underneath their recently discovered glossy indie-pop finish of each song, however, is an intricate arrangement of expert musicianship. The dudes know the technical ins and outs of how to play their instruments for maximum aural engagement, making it possible for them to have a ton of levels and effects happening without sounding like an adolescent garage band all hitting their instruments at once. - Brien Overly