Gogol Bordello gave exhilarating performance at The Pageant Wednesday

–By Ashley Cox

–Photos by Sean Derrick

Gogol Bordello made a stop in Saint Louis for their Seekers and Finders Tour on Wednesday, November 1st. The all ages show was at the Pageant, which was the perfect size for the frenetic stage show that GB is known for.

Openers Lucky Chops, a brass funk band from NYC, performed a solid set with a mixture of original material and covers (including an amazing brass version of The Beatles’ iconic “Helter Skelter”).

The band was fun to watch, especially founder and sousaphonist (NOT TUBA!), Raphael Buyo. I have never seen anyone dance like that while surrounded by an instrument of that size and weight. The only distraction was trumpet player, Joshua Gawel, seemed to be having some sort of audio problem as he agitatedly paced in the shadows of the stage for the first half of the set when not actively performing.  Lucky Chops could easily be thrown into the category of kitsch music but their talent and stage presence makes them a show to look forward to.

Gogol Bordello are almost obsessive about touring and it shows. Theatrics and fashion blended seamlessly with the eclectic sound, a mixture of Gypsy music with punk, dub, and strings. Even though they were 20 minutes late on the listed start time, they completed their set along with a 3-song encore.

The set started on a high note with “Break Into Your Higher Self” and stayed there. It would be amiss to not discuss the theatrics of the Gypsy punk band. Lead vocalist Eugene Hütz, and percussionist/vocalist Pedro Erazo, knew how to command the crowd and seemed visible disappointed if we did not deliver the requested screams. Backing vocalist/percussionist Ashley Tobias, whipped around in a gorgeous red coat and oversized opera glasses. Eugene took swigs but more frequently splashed several bottles of red wine onto the enthusiastic crowd, band, and stage.

Openers Lucky Chops were brought back onto the stage midway through the set, increasing the energy and packing the small stage with additional 3 players combined with GB’s 8.

The show reached its peak with the crowd turning into a dancing, singing, frenzied mass for “Start Wearing Purple” and “Think Locally”.

Even though they have toured yearly since their inception in 1999, I had somehow missed Gogol Bordello throughout college and grad school and had to listen to my friends rave about shows. The problem has been rectified and it won’t be a mistake that I will make again.

Don’t miss the photo gallery after the setlists.

 

Lucky chops Setlist:

Big Choral/Without You

Temple of Boom

Helter Skelter (The Beatles cover)

Walter

Stand By Me (Ben E. King cover)

These Tears

Danza (featuring GB’s Pedro)

Ska Solos from member’s

“Ba and Daro solos”

Coco (featuring GB’s Boris) (O.T. Genasis cover)

Funky Town/I Feel Good medley (Lipps Inc and James Brown cover)

 

Gogol Bordello Setlist:

Break Into Your Higher Self

Not a Crime

Wonderlust King

Saboteur Blues

My Companjera

Alcohol

Rebellious Love

Rise Again

Burning Coal

TC Hustle

Immigraniada (We Comin’ Rougher)

MishtoHeiroglyph

Haro Foro

Start Wearing Purple

Think Locally

 

Encore:

I Would Never Wanna be Young Again

Malandrino

Sun is on My Side (acoustic)