Cloud Cult @ Johnny Brenda’s.

Text and images by Marisa Lyon.

“This is gonna be fun,” said Cloud Cult lead vocalist, Craig Minowa, smiling as he fed off the energy of the enthusiastic crowd at the sold-out Johnny Brenda’s on Friday. “Our first show here in Philadelphia, I think we played for two people. So this is amazing.”

Fellow indie rock band JBM warmed up the crowd with their mellow, Bruce Springsteen-esque vibe.

After a short break, the eight-piece Could Cult climbed onto the modest stage. The lights dimmed to a faint glow as the timid orchestra began, softly building momentum. As the bass and percussion kicked in, the lights blared on, and the group’s two artists brushed shades of blue vigorously across their canvasses in perfect tune with the music. From that moment, neither the band, nor crowd, stopped rockin’ for the remainder of the performance.

Great chemistry is vital to all amazing artists, but to say Cloud Cult’s chemistry was great, is an understatement that nowhere near does them justice. It felt more like being in the presence of a tightly knit family, just sharing their artistry and having a blast together. From seven of the eight members wailing away on a single snare drum, to bringing the bands two painters, including Minowa’s wife, up to the mics to join in harmonies, there was a feeling of overwhelming camaraderie projected throughout the entire venue.

The Minnesota natives played most of their newest album, Love, intertwined with classic favorites like “There’s So Much Energy in Us” and “Transistor Radio.”

The encore ended with “The Show Starts Now” followed by a heavily crowd-participated version of “You’ll Be Alright.” Wide smiles shining, all eight Cloud Culter’s stood in a single line, arms around each other, as they humbly bowed for their captivated fans.