Live Review: The Ting Tings, KANEHOLLER at Thalia Hall

The Ting Tings at Thalia Hall in Chicago. Photo: Brooklyn Brown-Sater/Up to Tempo

The Ting Tings are known for heavy beats and catchy music leading to a good time, so when they brought the party to Chicago's Thalia Hall it was imperative to bring along an opening act that could assimilate themselves into the high energy atmosphere. Enter KANEHOLLER, an electronic/soul duo  that packs a punch with their smart lyrics and heavy beats. The duo, made up of Jon Foster and Chelsea Tyler, started the show with mellow tunes building up to their fast paced edm offerings.  The result was a seamless set that kept the crowd cheering for more. It was the perfect way for a lesser known group to allow everyone to get a feel for who they are.

KANEHOLLER performing at Chicago's Thalia Hall. Photo: Brooklyn Brown-Sater/Up To Tempo

Some electronic acts rely heavily on laser shows and have very little stage presence. This is not the case for KANEHOLLER. The energy the two give off is contagious. One would expect Chelsea Tyler to know a thing or two about stage presence - her dad is Aerosmith's Steven Tyler. Tyler delivers with her ability to work the crowd whether she's standing behind a mic stand or dancing to the beats delivered from Jon Foster. Foster also engages the crowd from his dj booth as well as stepping out from it during "Evermore" to deliver some solid rhymes.

The energy never felt forced and the music is so catchy that you can't help to start dancing. The crow never stopped cheering and jumping for KANEHOLLER. It is rare that you see an opener that can take hold of the audience and engage them as much as KANEHOLLER did. They were highly appreciative of the crowd's response throughout their set and again after the show when they were signing items at their merchandise booth. I was able to meet them and can say these two are very friendly and much appreciative of their success and response from the crowd in Chicago.

Now for the main event, The Ting Tings. All I can say is WOW WOW WOW! As someone who has seen everyone from The Rolling Stones to Britney Spears to Dolly Parton and in between, I must admit I've seen some solid shows. There is something about The Ting Tings that stands out among or above these artists. The raw energy that Jules De Marino and Katie White exude is mind blowing. Watching White perform the closest thing I can imagine to footage I've seen of Debbie Harry performing at full force with Blondie in their heyday - and I've seen Blondie put on a great show a few years ago.

Jules De Martino (left) & Katie White of The Ting Tings Photo: Brooklyn Brown-Sater/Up To Tempo

It's that fiery attitude and energy the duo has taken from bands like Blondie and the Clash that makes The Ting Tings show one of the best you'll ever see. Not to mention the awesome songs, new and old, ranging from pop to punk to disco. The duo started things off with the latest single "Do It Again" from their current album Super Critical. The disco tinged track was a great show opener and lead into the much loved "Shut Up And Let Me Go." The performance packed a punch so hard that White ended up knocking her bass drum off its stand (which we failed to film in the video below) . The party continued with "Hands," "That's Not My Name," and Super Critical's lead single "Wrong Club." 

The Ting Tings performing"Shut Up And Let Me Go" Video: Brooklyn Brown-Sater

The show was an all ages show and for once that had a literal meaning. The crow was made up of mostly late teens to mid/late 20s, but also had guide the turn out of older fans as well. At one point I was taking photos by and opera box full of people my parents age that were jumping up and down and partying on the same level if not more than the younger crowd in front of the stage. That energy and crowd enthusiasm is what make a bend transcend from just having great music to offering an amazing live experience.

If you haven't seen The Ting Tings live yet, I highly recommend that you add them to the list of bands you are seeing this year. I can honestly say that they put on one hell of a show that will not disappoint. Watching The Ting Tings will leave you feeling like you wanna pick up a guitar or smash out some beats on the drums and start you own band. 

The Ting Tings performing "That's Not My Name". Video: Brooklyn Brown-Sater

Check out The Ting Tings with KANEHOLLER at a venue near you!

April 06 - Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade NYC
April 07 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
April 08 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
April 10 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
April 11 - Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
April 13 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
April 14 - Orlando, FL @ The Social
April 16 - Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution Live
April 17 - St Petersburg, FL @ State Theatre
April 20 - New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks
April 21 - Huston, TX @ Fitzgeralds
April 22 - Austin, TX @ Emo's Austin
April 23 - Dallas, TX @ Granada Theatre
April 25 - Phoenix, AZ @ Club Red
July  01 - San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom
July  02 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre
July  25 - Kansas City, KS @ KRBZ Beach Ball