After a solid performance from opener Springtime Carnivore, led by a star-studded frontwoman (literally, she was covered in stars for her "Ms. Universe" Halloween costume), Generationals stepped on stage and picked up their guitars dressed as the famous video game brothers for their Friday night concert hosted by on-campus radio station WVFI.
Hailing from New Orleans, Generationals is a duo made up of guitarists and vocalists Grant Widmer and Ted Joyner. The two released their debut album, "Con Law," in 2009 and have been touring and cranking out three more full-length albums and well-loved EPs in the time it takes many bands to release a sophomore LP. The prolific group just released a fourth album, "Alix," this September.
The group is often compared to danceable indie groups like Yellow Ostrich and Born Ruffians or surf rock outfits like Best Coast and Tennis, and the duo certainly lived up to its upbeat and sunny reputation. As students thawed out from the bout of October snow they'd endured earlier that day, Generationals cranked out a highly danceable set that got even the less festive students moving.
Last year's Halloween weekend show at Legends was indie-pop band Grouplove, which drew an almost too-large (and occasionally rowdy) crowd, but there were fewer students this holiday. Perhaps it was because Halloween fell on the day of the concert, but it also may have been that many students have heard Generationals and not known it — their songs have been featured in several commercials, television shows and films. More than once during the show, I found myself in the midst of an "a-ha" moment, recognizing a catchy tune from something I had seen in recent years.
Regardless, those that did gather for Generationals' performance more than made up for any of those who missed out, enthusiastically singing, clapping and dancing along to cuts from the group's new album, including the unbelievably catchy single "Gold Silver Diamond" as well as favorites from previous albums "Heza" and "ActorCaster." The only complaint I heard as students left the show was that the band didn't play "When They Fight, They Fight," a single from the group's debut album and arguably the band's most popular song.
Unfulfilled song requests aside, Generationals lightened up an otherwise cold and dreary Halloween day, and their foot-stomping, hand-clapping performance joined the ranks of those from Bear Hands, PAPA and Grouplove that have graced the Legends stage with worthwhile indie rock and electro-pop. The undeniably happy performance may not have been the spookiest pick for a Halloween show, but it was clear the costumed crowd didn't seem to mind.
Caitlin Doyle and Gordon MacDougall contributed to this article.
