LIVE: Phantogram @ Upstate Concert Hall, 12/7/13

Photographs and video by Tim Reidy

Saratoga Springs electro-popsters Phantogram took over the Upstate Concert Hall for their homecoming concert earlier this month, and to absolutely no one’s surprise, the place was jam-packed sold out.

After all, in recent months the dynamic duo of Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter have released their new self-titled EP (named the Best EP of 2013 by Paste), landed their song “Lights” on the soundtrack album for the blockbuster movie “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and announced their next album Voices would be released in February.

Backed by drummer Chris Carhart and keyboardist Nick Shelestak, the Barthel/Carter tandem kept the drama and the intensity high as they pumped up the groove for old favorites as well as a sampling of new tunes, too.

Opening the evening’s festivities in Clifton Park were the like-minded NYC duo Weeknight and the British band Until the Ribbon Breaks.

ALSO READ:
NEW Video: Phantogram’s “Black Out Days”
Phantogram Ranks No. 1 On Paste’s Top 10 EPs of 2013
Phantogram Announces New Album
Box of Stars’ “Last Box of Sparklers: A Tribute to Mark Linkous”
VIDEO: Phantogram Performs New “Black Out Days” on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon”

SECOND OPINIONS:
Josh Potter’s review at Metroland