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I never thought it would take an arguably despised gossip blogger to bring two of my recent favorite acts to the nation’s capital, but that’s just what happened Saturday night when the Perez Hilton Presents Tour launched in Washington, DC. Perez, nervous and decidedly ego-free in person, hosted and flitted about the crowd like a court jester, introducing Frankmusik, Semi-Precious Weapons, Ida Maria and Ladyhawke on a surprisingly sparse set. The focus was on the music and the performances and, for the most part, they did not disappoint. This wasn’t a conceptual concert, like Kanye’s recent Glow in the Dark caravan of likeminded performers, but simply a line up of Perez’s favorite acts of the moment and for myself, it was a rare treat to see two foreign entertainers up close and personal.

Frankmusik and Ladyhawke were primarily my main draw for this event. Both of their debut albums were equally amazing, but in much different ways. Frank’s looked forward, exploring the future potential of electronic pop while Ladyhawke’s looked backward, celebrating and reinvigorating classic 80’s power rock and dance ideas. I was curious as to how this would translate to the stage.

First up was the lean, dextrous British export, Frankmusik, who bounced and writhed his way through a potent 35-minute set, that ranged from upbeat and boisterous (Gotta Boyfriend, Better Off As Two), to reflective and pulsating (Done Done). The highlight of his performance came at the end, when he deviated from an energetic rendition of In Step to meander into cover territory with a nugget of Rihanna’s Don’t Stop the Music. Frank’s appeal and spot on vocals were not lost on the audience, many of whom seemed to convert right before my eyes, surrendering to the animated performance and dancing along with the hyperactive synths and beats.

While I completely missed Semi-Precious Weapons in a haze of heated pop music debate downstairs at the bar, I emerged just in time to witness the latter half of what Perez has described as, “the next Amy Winehouse“. I give Ida Maria’s band of lot of credit, they were able to support and vamp for the erratic artist in ways that reminded me of backing bands for James Brown and other spontaneous performers. While this wasn’t an R&B act, they were able to think quickly on their feet and produce for her seemingly bewildering demands. Stumbling, forgetful (she was constantly reading her lyrics from a notebook) and possibly under the influence, I can honestly say Ida Maria was indeed entertaining and charismatic, but with atonal moans and strange banter it was certainly not to my taste. Perez’s grand comparison is simultaneously appropriate and completely off base.

Closing the evening on a bright note was New Zealand’s Ladyhawke. Dressed in early-90’s grunge gear, complete with a Bleach-era Nirvana t-shirt, I admittedly did not know what to expect. But once the familiar beat of Magic began and her punky but anguished vocals penetrated through the cloud of synths and guitars, my concerns were fleeting. Ladyhawke’s set sustained a measured level of energy throughout, moving from album highlights (My Delirium), b-sides (Danny and Jenny), and fan favorites (Paris is Burning, Back of the Van). Her set was equally active and elegant, a succinct and near perfect balance of motion and emotion.

Perez Hilton Presents Tour continues across the America. Click here to see upcoming dates and roster line ups.

Frankmusik - In Step (199 kbps)

Ladyhawke - Danny & Jenny (160 kbps)

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