Review by Tony Perkis / Photos by Colin Young-Wolff
This month’s installment of Red Bull Sound Select at The Sayers Club featured Phantoms and NIIA.
Phantoms, consisting of the duo Kyle Kaplan and Vinnie Pergola, blasted onto the stage first. Their mix of dark, deep house beats and pop got the crowd vibing early. Taking a page out of a Disclosure-esque playbook, these two were all over controlling gadgets and keyboards, manipulating the beat that rocked the small venue. Their catchy single “Broken Halos” struck a chord as did the duo’s nice Tame Impala remix.
Headlining the set, the sensational NIIA, seemed to own every second in front of the audience. Rolling through her 2014 EP “Generation Blue” and playing the new single “David’s House” the Robin Hannibal (Quadron, Rhye)-produced jazz singer was flawless. Her looks may grasp people almost immediately, but her voice is one to look out for on pop radio shortly. “Body” is a hit and a new favorite of mine. The covers she performed from Kate Bush to No Doubt to the BADBADNOTGOOD reinterpretation of Future Island’s “Seasons (Waiting On You)” were sublime. Niia is one to watch on a major scale for sure.
Reviewed by b3
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