Fitz and The Tantrums at La Zona Rosa

Apr 20, 2011 by Shelby

Posted under: Austin-tatious Events, Music To Our Ears

I’ve been loving Fitz and the Tantrums since I first heard “MoneyGrabber” on an Alamo Drafthouse promo late last summer and immediately picked up their debut LP, Pickin’ Up The Pieces. The band’s soul-meets-pop sound damn near forces you to shake your hips, and I don’t think a single member of the crowd at their La Zona Rosa show last night was able to remain still. I’ve never seen so many white men in their 20s and 30s dancing at a show. It was impressive and a testament to Fitz and The Tantrums’ near-manic energy, even on slower songs like “Tighter.”

With one full-length album to their credit, the band cranked out a hopping hour-and-15-minute set that also included two new tracks (“Wake Up” and “6 a.m.,” I think) and a sexycool cover of the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This).” And I’ve found a new girl crush in Noelle Scaggs, the co-lead singer with Michael Fitzpatrick. Not only is her voice ridiculously awesome, but she rocked a one-shouldered fringed dress while playing a tambourine, something I’ve always wanted to do.

Check out the video for “MoneyGrabber”:

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Tags: Alamo Drafthouse, Austin, Austin-tatious Events, Chickster, Chickstermag, concert reviews, fitz and the tantrums, la zona rosa, music to our ears

11 Comments + Add Comment

Cynthia April 20, 2011 at 4:56 pm

Hearing this makes me want to go to the Alamo Drafthouse!
O’Husband April 20, 2011 at 5:06 pm

Yeah, I have to say the show was cool as shit! Good album too, just excellent music from top to bottom. Fitz!!!
Shelby April 20, 2011 at 5:07 pm

Cynthia – Haha! That’s how I feel every time I hear Marc Ronson and The Business’ “Bang Bang Bang” on the radio.
Doug April 22, 2011 at 6:06 pm

Shelby, I don’t want you or your husband to think I’m stalking you but I was there too. Great show! Love them! After I dl’d the cd a few months ago I listened pretty much continuously on my mp3 for a couple weeks…it’s packed with great songs. And you’re right about Noelle – she looked amazing while dancing and rockin’ that tambourine.

I stumbled upon your article because I visited your website to tell you about yet another new yogurt shop that you can review soon – Yogurtland Coming to Austin
http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/retail/2011/04/yogurtland-coming-to-austin—blog.html
Shelby April 25, 2011 at 11:53 am

How funny! You clearly have great taste in music.

Thanks for sharing about Yogurtland. Interesting that it will be pretty much across the street from Yumilicious. I hope it doesn’t hurt their business. Have you tried Red Mango near campus? I kept hearing how great it was, but it didn’t really do much for me. I think it’s a Dallas import.
Doug April 26, 2011 at 12:07 am

I was surprised the FATT show was sold out. Whenever I mentioned the group to friends they hadn’t heard of ‘em and when I made them listen, they weren’t enthused about it like me. Plus I really hadn’t heard much hype about them. Sure, Money Grabber got some air play but it didn’t seem like much. The show was actually more than sold out – I saw them turning away people at the gate who tried entering with tickets that had already been used. Be wary of scalpers at LZR…I guess people, once admitted, pass their tickets back through the gate to be sold again.

I have not tried Red Mango…I did venture into the store on SoCo you suggested (I’m terrible with names) and it was great. Also a small plus that the Go Local card works there!

I like Sarah Jaffe a lot too. So here’s a question for ya, have you heard Thrift Store Cowboys?

OK, I just read your post about a cafe in Prague…were you expats? If so, here’s another sort of coincidence, my wife and I were expats in Bratislava a few years back. Loved it!
Cynthia April 26, 2011 at 12:25 pm

I’ve heard of the Thrift Store Cowboys! I got hear them recording some new songs last summer, as they are friends of my roommate. Check out the post here: http://chickstermag.com/wordpress/2010/07/1916-studios-in-kyle-tx/

Cool dudes who are really talented!
Shelby April 26, 2011 at 2:21 pm

The people right in front of us in line had bought already-used tickets from scalpers outside. It’s crazy how often that happens.

Glad you liked the SoCo store! We need more down here. The Yogurt Spot by Waterloo Records is pretty good too.

Based on yours and Cynthia’s recommendation, I think I’ll have to check the Thrift Store Cowboys out. Thanks for the tip!

And sadly no, I would love to be an expat, but we were just backpacking. How did you swing living in Bratislava? I’ve always wanted to live abroad.
Doug April 26, 2011 at 10:03 pm

I can see I’m going to have to work a little to tell y’all something about music or frozen yogurt that you don’t know more about than me! That’s a great story, Cynthia. TSC are super talented! I unfortunately haven’t caught ‘em live but I love their layered sound, quiet intensity and catchy tunes. Most of their songs feature male vocals but there’s a few where Amanda Shires shines through. I especially like “Understudy.” Their facebook page has a bunch of songs to listen to from both the new album and their 2007 venture, as well.

Shelby, the expat thing was just pure luck. I got to tag along on my wife’s overseas assignment for a company that has offices throughout europe. We were there for about 2.5 years and it was great.
Shelby April 27, 2011 at 10:06 am

Very cool!
What Do You Think of the 2011 ACL Lineup? « Chickster May 17, 2011 at 10:11 am

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