Ill Doots and Titanics @ Kung Fu Necktie.

Text and images by Matthew Leister.

Eight trained musicians squeezed onto the economical stage. One member stared at the others with a confounded look on his face. Where am I going to stand? There were more people on stage than in the crowd. But, once the music started, almost on command, a stream of people filed in to enjoy the fresh vibes being brought to you by the band.

Ill Doots brought their #illmovement to Kung Fu Necktie on Thursday night. The hip-hop, jazz, funk act performed an energized set featuring a bunch of new songs set for release in the spring.

Whether the band members are rapping, singing, grooving or going on an experimental path, it all feels planned. If improvisation is done, it’s hard to tell – and therefore even more impressive.

There is a showmanship to their performance and a sense of ease as they dig into their instruments. They have done this before and they will do it again. The MC on display, Phantom, has a technical flow that almost sounds like the words are composed for the piece of music, not just added to it.

A performance of “10,000 Hours” was memorable. The song surprises you with the twists it takes. The crowd danced and bounced to Ill Doots. The band danced and bounced for the crowd.

Bringing support was Titanics, a two-man act from Albany, NY. One plays the guitar. The other sings, plays the keyboards and makes the beats on a drum machine. They are not afraid of distortion, albeit in a controlled form. There is a delicate groove to the music. The sound is reminiscent of the water levels on Super Mario ’64, taking you back to the Dire Dire Docks.

Titanics

Ill Doots

Ill Doots

Ill Doots

Ill Doots

Ill Doots

Ill Doots

Ill Doots