PNC MidPoint's Indie Summer perfect free night of music

It’s no wonder why Why? headlined the Friday, July 9, Indie Summer performance at Fountain Square.  The Cincinnati natives produce a sound so obscure, it’s impossible to label it under any given genre. Indie, folk and new wave don’t even begin to bring to life the quirky, unique tunes Why? bring to the mix.

The performance, also featuring Kasparov, Fists of Love and State Song, marked the sixth of 14 free indie shows this summer sponsored by PNC.  The summer lineup serves as a preview to amp up local music fans for the MidPoint Music Festival that will take over the city Sept. 23 through 25.  Tickets for the festival were available for sale during Friday’s festivities, along with Skyline Chili, band merchandise and a variety of alcoholic beverages.

See a slideshow from the show here.

The crowd was packed with people of all races and ages.  Young men in business suits sat next to hipsters in tight jeans and vintage dresses while old folks in wheelchairs maneuvered around the audience behind mothers pushing strollers. MidPoint clearly brings the music fans of Cincinnati together.

Kasparov, a new band from Cincinnati, opened the evening with a fast-paced set with a haunting trance of hard-hitting indie rock. Some of their more stirring tracks were comparable to Brand New.

Fists of Love followed the newcomers with a strikingly different sound. Featuring John Curley on bass, former member of the booming Cincinnati success, The Afghan Whigs, the band produced easygoing classic rock perfect for cruising around town.  Summer was definitely in the air as the commanding rock peppered with hints of punk echoed into the fading daylight. While female vocalist/guitarist Donna Rubin’s free-spirited voice crackled into the microphone, her musical counterpart Chris Schadler supplied smooth, full vocals and sound effects to complete the 1960s-esque performance.

State Song immediately followed the time warp with a surge of talent. Vocalist, keyboardist and guitarist Scott Torres’ rich, jazzy voice quickly captured the audience’s attention. Although the middle of the set began to drag slightly with longer, more emotional ballads, the band’s powerful crescendos, eclectic piano pieces and powerful percussion ultimately livened the mood.

Finally, Yoni Wolf of Why? took the stage sporting a fluffy brown Mohawk, owl-rimmed glasses and dangerously short cutoffs. The crowd erupted into applause, prepared for the strange brew of indie hip hop only Why? can deliver.

The artists jump-started the night with “Song of the Sad Assassin,” a favorite from their 2008 album, “Alopecia.” The tune immediately displayed Yoni’s trademark nasally, perfectly enunciated vocals as he effortlessly spouted, “Billy the Kid did what he did and he died,” in tongue-twisting repetition.

The band continued to play favorites off of “Alopecia” and their 2009 release, “Eskimo Snow,” to the crowd’s delight. The crystal clear lyrics were easy to sing along with, and heavy bass lines coupled with chiming percussion gave the audience the unique, darkly upbeat spin they came to hear.

 “This goes out to all my underdone, under-tongued, long-longed front men,” Wolf sang without missing a beat during the inevitable encore, “The Hollows.”  He kept the same cool, professional demeanor throughout the performance, an acceptable choice in the indie world, where enthusiasm isn’t necessarily encouraged. As Yoni thanked his hometown followers, the bass guitar slipped to the stage floor, and the remnants of another Indie Summer performance faded into the night.