Neon Indian is currently on a North American tour promoting their latest album VEGA INTL. Night School, which was released October 2015. The show began at the Observatory a little later than expected. The band was sound checking for about 15 minutes and the crowd began to grow restless with excitement. One of the band members came on stage to switch on two neon lighted signs. One pink VEGA INTL. sign to the left of the stage and one blue Night School sign to the right.

Soon after, Neon Indian took the stage and everyone cheered while someone shouted “Take your shirt off!”. The band started their first song with great enthusiasm. Alan Palomo, the lead singer, took a second to take a sip of tea, mentioning that he just got over the flu but you could never tell based on the consistency of his voice.

The band members include Jason Faries on drums, keyboardist Drew Erickson, Max Townsley on guitar, and Jorge Palomo, Alan’s brother, on bass. People sporting sequin jackets and flannel shirts alike were grooving to tracks reminiscent of 80s synthpop and chillwave.

About half way through the show, Alan said “We’re going to keep playing some songs for you guys because we have a symbiotic relationship going.” He was right, as the energy from the band rose, so did the energy from the crowd.

Two crowd favorites from the night were Polish Girl, off the 2011 album Era Extraña, and Slumlord off their latest release VEGA INTL. Night School. Slumlord featured Alan Palomo playing a Korg MS-20 and Max Townsley on the timbales.

The show made me feel like a character in a nostalgic 80s movie on the way to the swankiest party in town and who doesn’t want to feel like that. Neon Indian’s next stop is Las Vegas, NV Friday, March 11 at the Neon Reverb Music Festival. For tour dates and more info visit neonindian.com.

Article and photos by Lily Colovic