Live music review and photos: Bob Moses played Emo’s with Mansionair
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Photos and story by Mike Manewitz
Vancouver-via-Brooklyn-based electronic group Bob Moses brought their Battle Lines tour through Austin at Emo’s last Friday, October 19 supported by Mansionair. Bob Moses is actually a duo comprised of Jimmy Vallance and Tom Howie, their pop-electronic work was filled out with a lineup of live drums, bass, keys, guitar and vocals for a set list that drew heavily from their latest album, “Battle Lines.”
Bob Moses have made the festival rounds the last couple years, earning a reputation as a formidable live act. The performance felt a bit stiffer than when I saw them at Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL Fest) a few years ago which may have been a function of a more involved stage production, but between the dramatic lighting design, Howie’s verbed-out croon and vamps into left field, the (observably female-leaning) crowd responded joyously.
Australia’s Mansionair were a nice surprise with excellent stage presence and fresh band-centric arrangements of some of their beat-and-sample-heavy work. The Sydney-based trio scored an Aussie radio hit with 2017 single “Easier.” This year, the band moved stateside amid a growing international fanbase. We’re thankful the group made their way to Austin with Bob Moses. Music discovery is still where we get most excited about contemporary styles. It’s always nice to be pleasantly surprised by an opener or festival act.
Bob Moses continue touring this month in North America through December 1 before heading to Australia and New Zealand to complete the tour. The band picks the tour back up for a European leg in February. A full list of tour dates can be found here.
