Melody's Echo Chamber played Music Hall of Williamsburg with Quilt (pics, setlist)

photos by Amanda Hatfield

Melody’s Echo Chamber @ MHOW 8/26/2015

It’s been three years since Melody Prochet released her first, and so far only, album as Melody’s Echo Chamber and clearly folks haven’t forgotten about her, as Wednesday’s sold-out Music Hall of Williamsburg show proved. There were a few shouts of “I Love You!” (and at least one “Je t’aime!”) from the crowd who had packed the main room before opener Quilt began. The Music Hall show was only her second U.S. headlining show ever (she opened for Raveonettes’ tour in 2012). For those hoping for a clue as to where Prochet is heading musically after breaking up with boyfriend/collaborator (and Tame Impala frontman) Kevin Parker, she left us wondering, as last year’s funky single “Shirim” was pretty much the only new song she played.

For those wanting to hear her debut album played live with a very solid band, she more than delivered and most of the crowd seemed to be in this camp. That album’s psych-rock singles “Crystalized” and “I Follow You” sounded great, but the highlight for me the encore. After performing a song by legendary French chaunteuse Marie Laforet, the band finished the night with “Be Proud of Your Kids” which closes her debut. A charming almost-throwaway on record featuring samples of a toddler Prochet once babysat, live it turned into an extended prog/kraut jam that really showcased her excellent rhythm section. Very good show. Now let’s get a second album.

Openers Quilt, who have finished their third album for Mexican Summer (due out early 2016), were in fine form as usual, playing a number of new songs as well as a few from their first two albums. Guitarist/vocalists Anna Rochinski and John Andrews sound great together and the band continue to move further and further away from obvious ’60s flower-power pastiche into their own groove. Pictures from their set, plus more of Melody’s Echo Chamber, below…

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Quilt

Melody’s Echo Chamber

SETLIST: Melody’s Echo Chamber @ MHOW 8/25/2015
I Follow You
Endless Shore
Bisou Magique
Some Time Alone, Anlone
U Won’t Be
Quand Vas Tu Rentrer
Mount Hopeless
Crystalized
Je Me Perds De Vue
Shirim

ENCORE
Marie Laforet cover
Be Proud of Your Kids