Warwick, NY’s Gus Dapperton hasn’t even released a full length debut album, yet the indie pop sensation is already adding plenty of sold out shows to his resume around the US and Europe. On Friday, March 9th, Gus Dapperton rolled through Atlanta to play a sold out show in Vinyl at Center Stage. That same Friday night, there were too many good shows to choose from in Atlanta: Spoon at Buckhead Theatre, Little Tybee at Terminal West, Lucy Dacus at The EARL, Shopping at 529, or even Ed Schrader’s Music Beat at Mammal Gallery. For me and a packed house at Vinyl, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to catch the rising star.
Starting out the evening was Philadelphia/Atlanta group Hypothetical, who just released their debut album, Kill the Doubt, in January. The crowd was already live and packed up front awaiting Gus, so Hypothetical was able to capitalize on a crowd ready to dance. The band brought an interesting mix of 90’s alt-rock, hip hop, funk, and even a little reggae to form an upbeat indie pop hop sound. Frontman Matt Feldman’s mix of soulful vocals with a smooth breakneck rhyming flow had the crowd in a good mood as the band smiled along and showed out throughout their set.
Gus Dapperton and his four piece band came out to a loud applause as an excited crowd was there to catch the buzzed about new artist. Gus introduced each member of the band, stating each one was “6’5”, including his little sister who was on the keyboard and backup vocals.
Gus Dapperton, now living in Philadelphia, at 20, maybe just now 21 years old, came out with a PBR in hand, and his now signature style in full effect. He’s become known not only for his bowl cut, which was shaded a greenish-blue on this night, and his mix of 80’s and 90’s fashion. Gus was rocking a pair of old school Tommy Jeans with the huge logos in full display in Atlanta.
While Gus Dapperton has only released a few singles, and two 4 song EPs, including his surprise drop of the latest EP You Think You’re a Comic! in February, his setlist is rather short at this time. But that certainly wasn’t enough for anyone in this crowd to think they didn’t get their full money’s worth. The set was hype throughout, as Gus and band plowed through the songs that everyone in the crowd knew and loved. Gus Dapperton can bounce back and forth between danceable indie rock and chilling lofi dream pop. Gus Dapperton brought the stage presence to the performance, bouncing around on stage for a set that was always energetic and never falling to total chill. Of course, his young bandmates were no slouches either, delivering passionate performances that really added to the show’s aesthetic.
Highlights from the show included a cover of Mario’s “Let Me Love You” that Gus gave his own touch to with his raspy vocals. Gus Dapperton took his hit “The Fool” from Yellow and Such on a groovy escapade with the crowd hanging in the palm of his hands singing along. Of course by the time Gus took to “I’m Just Snacking” the front part of the venue was in full on dance mode, waving hands bouncing along to Gus and the band. The latest single from Gus Dapperton, “Prune, You Talk Funny”, was another groovy barnburner that had the whole venue singing at the top of the lungs dancing in circles around the place. The synths sung off of the walls of Atlanta’s Vinyl, this is indie pop at it’s best and most poignant. You can already tell that Gus Dapperton is leaving his mark on this new generation, and he is still so young in his career.
But that wasn’t all that was left on this night. The band was loving the energy in the room, so they decided to play one more song. While Gus Dapperton definitely seems like a rising star in the DIY pop scene, making noise with a young generation that’s grown up with hip hop and indie rock, for his last song Gus went all the way back to 1963 with a rousing cover of The Beatles “Twist and Shout” to close out the show. With a house full of people who’s own parents couldn’t even put The Beatles in “their generation’s music” (nor could the band itself), the young crowd danced to along with Gus Dapperton like they were all straight out of the 60’s dance generation, putting a cap on the night with a performance to remember.
Gus Dapperton is only at the very beginning of his career, but this live show served as another reminder as to why this talented young artist is ready to break big out of the DIY pop scene. Catch Gus Dapperton on tour now in some smaller venues while you still can. Gus Dapperton is legit.
Check out photos of Gus Dapperton, live in Vinyl at Center Stage Atlanta, photos by Mike Gerry:
Check out photos of Hypothetical, photos by Mike Gerry:
Gus Dapperton Online:
Website // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Soundcloud
Upcoming Gus Dapperton Tour Dates:
MAR 18 Rockefellers Houston, TX
MAR 20 Deep Ellum Art Company Dallas, TX
APR 18 Fox Cabaret Vancouver, Canada
APR 19 Barboza Seattle, WA
APR 20 Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR
APR 22 Rickshaw Stop San Francisco, CA
APR 24 The Roxy Theater Los Angeles, CA
APR 26 Constellation Room Santa Ana, CA
APR 27 Vinyl Las Vegas, NV
APR 28 Rebel Lounge Phoenix, AZ
APR 29 The Roxy Theater Los Angeles, CA
MAY 01 Lost Lake Denver, CO
MAY 03 Encore at Uptown Theater Kansas City, MO
MAY 18 The Great Escape @ The Arch Brighton, United Kingdom
MAY 19The Great Escape @ The Haunt Brighton, United Kingdom
MAY 21 Stereo Glasgow, United Kingdom
MAY 22 Brudenell Social Club Leeds, United Kingdom
MAY 23 The Garage London, United Kingdom
MAY 25 Dot To Dot Festival Manchester, United Kingdom
MAY 26 Dot To Dot Festival Bristol, United Kingdom
MAY 27 Dot To Dot Festival Nottingham, United Kingdom
MAY 30 Sidecar Barcelona, Spain
MAY 31 Sala Siroco Madrid, Spain
JUN 01 16 Toneladas Valencia, Spain
JUN 02 This Is Not A Love Song Nîmes, France
JUN 05 Exil Zurich, Switzerland
JUN 06 Legend Club Milan, Italy
JUN 08 Flex Club Vienna, Austria
JUN 09 Puls Open Air Geltendorf, Germany
JUN 10 Best Kept Secret Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands
JUN 11 Trix Club Antwerp, Belgium
JUN 12 Yuca Cologne, Germany
JUN 15 Piknik I Parken Oslo, Norway
JUN 16 La Magnifique Society Reims, France
JUN 17 Maifeld Derby Mannheim, Germany
JUN 18 binuu Berlin, Germany
JUN 20 Lille Vega Copenhagen, Denmark
JUN 21 Obaren Stockholm, Sweden
JUN 23 Body and Soul Festival Dublin, Ireland
