Calling all millennials: Peter Bjorn and John are back in business.
With support from local band Botanical Animal — also referred to as Botan — the Swedish trio made a stop in Salt Lake City for the North American “Writer’s Block” album tour. To celebrate almost 20 years of the acclaimed record, the band played the track list backwards and set the stage for a long night of nostalgic music.
As they began strumming through each song, adding layer upon layer with their extravagant guitar pedals, I felt as though I was back in the backseat of my family’s suburban, whistling along to “Young Folks.” There’s a certain feeling that the millennial whoop leaves that you just can’t shake away. Growing out of the indie sleaze and dream gaze eras, they brought a lot of that attitude to their set, gaining traction as each song played through.
Botan and a unique beanie
Botan opened with an interesting flair that felt familiar. I hadn’t gotten the chance to listen to them beforehand, so it was a surprise to find out they are a local band from Provo, Utah. They opened their set proclaiming this as their first opening set for a touring band, which is a big deal to be on the same ticket as Peter Bjorn and John. If there’s anything a local indie band does best, it’s taking you by surprise.
From beginning to end, the band seemed to have influence from the indie sleaze era, switching from surf core to shoe gaze instrumentalism. Each song played a different character and had a similar sound like bands such as Vampire Weekend and Matt and Kim. It may have been the fact that they gave off a millennial yuppie energy with their tiny beanies and semi-tucked-in shirts, but they started to grow on me.
The biggest takeaway from their set was their surf rock cover of “Royals” by Lorde. It couldn’t have been a timelier performance, as with audience participation and swaying movements across the stage, they definitely left a lasting impression perfect for the remainder of the headlining act.
PB&J, without the sandwich
With many complications and other personal matters, since 2007, Peter Bjorn and John haven’t stepped foot back in Salt Lake City. But Tuesday night they came back and it’s like they had never left. As soon as the band walked out on stage, a wave flew over me. If there is any album that speaks to the feelings of nostalgia, it’s “Writer’s Block.”
Playing through songs like “Paris 2004,” “Amsterdam” and “Let’s Call It Off,” I felt as though I was in a dream state. Urban Lounge is a small, intimate venue, so given the band’s energy, the set gave the effects of crowding in your neighbor’s basement for a small indie show. They made me feel the music in a way I never had before.
After much success with their solo careers, Peter Bjorn and John recently came back together, specifically for this tour, so it was a treat to see their smiles and glow on stage. Even the voice cracks on the higher notes got me feeling like the night was made for the fans of Salt Lake City. Peter and Bjorn, the main vocalists, included much audience participation, creating a room full of musicians. This included whistling and shaking maracas with the crowd, Q&As during the breaks between tracks and even a rhythmic exercise, clapping along to “Objects Of My Affection.” We became a part of the music, which is all you could hope for with an album like “Writer’s Block.”
Now it’s just time to figure out how they take their peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The “Writer’s Block” North American Tour will be on the road until May 24.
