[LIVE REVIEW] Smallpools At Rock-n-Roll Hotel

There are concerts that surprise you and completely blow any and all expectations out of the water, last night was just such a show. I braved the asphalt melting heat and crossed the entirety of the District Of Columbia, making it safely to Rock-n-Roll Hotel just moments before the heavens opened up and water poured down on the city. This must have been a sign, the gods were on my side.

Walking into R-n-R there was already a wild energy, on account this was an all ages show, there is something really special about the energy of enthusiastic teenage fans, the fan willing to drag every last one of their friends, and often an unwilling adult chaperone to see a band only they've heard of. I was that kid, look how well I turned out? Right, parents, would-be parents, I am know I am not role model, but encouraging this adventurous spirit pays off. I quickly made my way upstairs, quickly away from all this energy - I appreciate it, but must only come in direct contact with it in small doses.

Once upstairs I found the four members of Smallpools lazily lounging pre-show with the ladies of Super Cute, who I might add live up to their name and are amazing, on one of the couches in Rock-n-Roll Hotel's well appointed green rooms. I was quickly welcomed in and introduced to everyone, we chatted about growing up, loving music and how Smallpools came to be. Sean, Mike, Joe, & Bo are not just incredibly talented musicians, but wonderfully great guys. WHEW! Nothing worse than loving a band and finding out they are jerks!

Super Cute wrapped up their performance and Smallpools took the stage. You would never know that this was only their fourth live show together, I was completely blown away by their precision and how effortlessly they all clicked, it felt like they had been playing together for years. So that crowd I had mentioned earlier, that energy had grown exponentially by this point, young girls were gleaming and singing along, some of the young boys too, look I can't blame them, Smallpools aren't so bad to look at. Back to that, they were singing along, Smallpools only dropped their EP this week, and already their fans knew the words and were proudly singing them.

So at the point I was content, the show could end and I would leave with nothing but glowing words to write, then Smallpools went and changed everything. They broke out a spot on, brilliant cover of 90's indie-pop iconography from the New Radicals, that's right "Get What You Give". Smallpools you win everything! Most surprising part, now I am 30, New Radicals peaked when I was in my teens, but the kids around not only knew the words, they went mental. They hadn't even gotten to their hit single 'Dreaming' yet, but when they did, it was all over. The energy just surged and the packed out venue radiated with infectious energy as Smallpools ended to screams for an encore.

What does all this mean?! Smallpools are touring the US, and you had better get your s**t together and make it out to their show. Check out the dates below! Miss them this time DC? No worries, there are rumors we will see them again as soon as October.

TOUR DATES: * / w San Cisco 7/13 – New York, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl (Popshop) 7/15 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall * 7/16 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s * 7/18 – Washington DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel * 7/19 – Clifton Park, NY @ Upstate Concert Hall * 7/20 – Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall * 7/22 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom * 7/23 – Buffalo, NY @ Tralf Music Hall * 7/24 – Toronto, Ontario @ The Garrison * 7/26 – Columbus, OH @ The Basement * 7/27 – Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar * 7/28 – Nashville, TN @ Exit/In * 7/29 – St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway * 7/31 – Minneapolis, MN @Triple Rock Social Club * 8/02 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater 8/08 – San Francisco, CA @ Popscene 8/12 – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s * 8/13 – Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex *