Fitz + The Tantrums Brought The Right Kind of Party to Saint Louis Sunday
–by Laura Tucker
On Sunday night, I found myself at a party. One that was cleverly disguised as a concert at St. Louis Music Park. With Fitz + the Tantrums and Andy Grammer as the party hosts. They are on the “Wrong Party” Tour for 2022, but if you were there, you know, it was in fact, the right one!
I’ll be honest, I know a few songs from each band and I was sort of looking forward to being there but I had no idea that the experience was going to be so up-lifting. In fact, after surviving a pandemic, among other things, this was just what the doctor ordered; a great big dose of enthusiasm for life.
This family-friendly, all-inclusive shindig got started at 8 pm under beautiful skies. St. Louis Music Park is becoming one of my favorite venues. Although the parking is a bit like a maze that leaves you hoping that a search party will find you if you don’t make it out, the venue is laid-back and easy-breezy. There is a corn hole area inside the entrance and ample space on the floor to dance and cut loose if that feeling moves you. And on Sunday, that’s what people did. One adorable kid in-particular danced throughout the entire show wearing his newly bought t-shirt.
The optimism was contagious, and everyone seemed to be willing to catch it through hand-clapping, toe-tapping and knee-slapping numbers from both bands.
First up was Andy Grammer. the singer-songwriter also plays the guitar, piano and trumpet and did all three during the show. His big hits are “Honey I’m Good”, “Keep Your Head Up”, “Good to be Alive” and “Fine by Me”. He performed all of those crowd pleasers plus a song for his godmother who stepped up to help filled the void after his mom passed away when he was 25.
Near the end, Michael Fitzpatrick (Fitz) joined him on stage for the new song “Wrong Party”
He ended the show with a song called “Joy” while an overload of confetti showered the jubilant audience.
After a break just long enough to get a drink and clean up the party favors, we were ready to meet our next hosts, Fitz and the Tantrums. Even their name suggests that they are not taking life too seriously and it “fitz” them to a tee.
Fitz and the Tantrums are an indie pop band from LA that formed in 2008, just when Fitz was about to give up on his dream. He bought an organ for $50 and got the band together with an old friend and saxophonist, James King, singer, Noelle Scaggs, bassist, Joseph Karnes, keyboardist, Jeremy Ruzumna and drummer, John Wicks.
They also came out ready to party! Noelle Scaggs reminded me of a groovy go-go dancer from the sixties. Her vibe is mod and confident. While Fitz sports his signature tall, swoopy, big boy styled hair with white strip in the front. Classic cool. The two of them have great chemistry and harmonize so well, you almost can’t even tell that it’s two voices.
I feel like they are one of those bands that plays a lot of songs that you like but you didn’t realize it was them. They too played their most notable and recognizable songs like “Out of My League”, “Walker (Here we Go)” (you know, the whistling song) and “Fool”. Before Fool, Fitz asked for a shout out from the ladies in the house then proceeded to label himself a certified, bonafide, proud Mama’s boy! And you know, Mama, didn’t raise no fool! It might not be as popular as some of the others but it’s my personal favorite.
These cheeky, danceable songs prompted us to let our hair down, if just for a night. So, that’s just what we did.
Their new single “Sway” is soon to be released from their fifth album and with an intro that sort of reminds me of the other big party band (the B-52’s) but with vocals that are way more perky and with (sha la la, hey hey hey) as the chorus, it’s sure to catch on.
They waited for the end of the night to get the crowd engaged with “Hand Clap”, the instantly appealing song that starts with the taunting sax riff to get your attention then dares your hands to be still while it’s playing. You can be driving and still not able to resist the urge. And on Sunday, there was proof, they can make your hands clap!
This show had “All the Feels” and I know what I’ll be adding to my next party playlist.
Be sure to check out the gallery of photos from the night below
