In a dizzying and intense performance, Portugal. The Man rocked the sold-out Overture Center Sunday night.
Twin Peaks brought a lot of spirited enthusiasm with their opening act, but this energy quickly evolved once Portugal. The Man took the stage. They led with a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall” that transitioned into “Purple Yellow Red and Blue,” which totally electrified the crowd. Their light show pulsated in the background to the psychedelic beat of their music, making it feel like the audience was transported to their own little weird world.
Portugal. The Man’s songs were punctuated by extended solos that showed off the talent of frontman John Gourley and guitarist Noah Gersh. Gourley especially enjoyed the spotlight, as his infectious verve frequently made for big moments during those unaccompanied instances.
When the band started their smash hit “Feel It Still,” the crowd erupted. The Grammy award-winning song got everyone in the Overture up and dancing. While that was probably the most well-known song played, my personal favorite was “Modern Jesus” from their 2013 album, Evil Friends. Its eerie opening sounded incredible live and a lengthened guitar solo rocked the whole crowd.
The graphics in the background helped add to the performance’s vibe and dynamism. Psychedelic images made it feel like you were tripping along with the songs, while tongue-in-cheek messages like, “This is Portugal. The Man, in case you’re at the wrong concert.” gave their performance some humor to go with the crashing music.
The band seemed to frontload their most popular songs in the performance, as some of the energy waned slightly toward the end of the concert. By the final song, however, the audience demanded an encore. Portugal. The Man obliged, finishing with a mash-up that included a much harder version of The Beatles’ “Hey Jude.”
After their Grammy win, Portugal. The Man continues to rise and they showcased some of their new vitality and buzz for Madison. It’s likely that Madison will “Feel It Still” for the next few days.
