Bishop Allen
Waterloo Park, Nov. 8Bishop Allen ignites something in audiences that’s hard to identify. Bright poppy melodies match the little dance Justin Rice does throughout the set, but it’s more than that. Performing above the dust bowl that FFFF became as the afternoon sun peaked, the Brooklynites were good sports, playing hard and well, sweating profusely, and focusing on a variety of material from across their half-decade existence. Rice and Christian Rudder, the band’s pillars, create a synergy that fills out songs, complemented not only by Rudder’s occasional ukulele but also by their rotating cast of bandmates. Though the bass player was a tad green, a good balance was struck with on-point drums and xylophone. Although better suited for more intimate venues, Bishop Allen demonstrated an energy that resides in close friends savoring pop songs.
This article appears in November 14 • 2008.