Frog @ Elsewhere: A Night of Unrehearsed Joy

Stepping into Elsewhere, I was immediately struck by the audience demographic. Contrary to the balanced mix of older millennials I had somehow expected, the room was buzzing with a vibrant crowd of early 20-somethings. It was a pleasant surprise: a confirmation that the energetic, idiosyncratic indie rock of Frog resonated strongly with our generation.

This show also marked my first visit to Elsewhere, and I left thoroughly impressed. The venue strikes a perfect balance of feeling intimate, allowing for a strong connection between the performers and the crowd, yet it is also remarkably well-spaced, avoiding any sense of being overcrowded. My personal appreciation for venues that forgo a barrier between the audience and the stage was satisfied, promising a more direct and uninhibited concert experience for an early queue-er.

The night kicked off with the opening act, DJ Silky Smooth. Their set was characterized by an indie-rock sound that was perfectly suited to Frog’s fanbase. Their stage presence was marked by unserious repetitive jokes and an insistent attitude, as they took multiple opportunities to emphasize, through the soundboard, that they were a band, not a DJ.

Following them was the second opener, Olivia O., from the group Lowertown. Her performance shifted the mood entirely, offering a melodic and hauntingly calm set. The mystique of her performance was amplified by the presence of another man, introduced as “Ghoul,” who joined her onstage. He stood silently, holding papers throughout her set, only dramatically discarding one after each song concluded. Between her compelling, atmospheric tracks, Olivia O. engaged the audience with charming banter. She jokingly requested to be called “007” and, more sincerely, exclaimed her deep, long-standing love for the band Frog, emphasizing how monumental it was for her to be opening for them.

Anticipation for Frog’s set was electric, fueled by the same-day release of their eighth album, Frog for Sale. This new work immediately felt like a rival to their critically acclaimed Count Bateman, marking a triumphant return to form. The album is a theatrical masterpiece with each song vibrating with a vigorous, infectious lust for jubilee, making it impossible not to feel elevated and compelled to dance. The mixed audience of devoted fans and curious newcomers alike buzzed with excitement, eager to discover the new setlist.

The band’s musical arrangement was dynamic, showcasing the versatility of the two core members, brothers Daniel and Steve Bateman, alongside their touring guitarist, Thomas White. The instrumentation constantly shifted: starting with a traditional setup of drums and two guitars, it would transition to using a keyboard, often with one member on drums, one on guitar, and the third member fluidly switching between guitar and keyboard, though Daniel’s vocals were the constant anchor. The tight, brotherly dynamic between Daniel and Steve was a clear highlight of the performance.

The set itself was infused with an almost unserious joy. Early on, the spontaneity reached a peak when singer Daniel forgot his setlist entirely, requiring his brother and Thomas to prompt him for the next song. While perhaps unintentional, this mistake added a layer of charming, unpolished intimacy to the show and, for me, a heads-up on the setlist.

In between songs, bassist Steve Bateman engaged the crowd in a lively discussion about the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race that night. As an avid watcher myself, I had to interject and plead with him not to spoil the winner, a request he graciously agreed to, before we briefly bonded over our shared opinion that Darlene Mitchell was the best of the cast.

The energy exchange between the band and the audience was electric. The crowd was just as enthusiastic as the band, dancing along as Daniel bounced and moved wildly across the stage during every song. New tracks, particularly my personal favorite “Best Buy,” were fantastic to hear live, showcasing the band’s signature sound, though it was clear that the new material still needed some more rehearsal polish.

A key observation for future attendees: the singer predominantly favored the stage-right side of the performance area. For an optimal view, I strongly recommend sticking to that side, as even being front-and-center, I spent a good 90% of the show looking left to catch Daniel. Check them out at Le Poisson Rouge on June 25th if you’re in the city this summer!

If You Like Frog, You Might Also Like…