Marie

'Oh, the cathartic qualities of electronic music,' I mused as I stood squished between giant speakers on my right and a kinetic, dancing couple on my left. Friday night I was privy to the intoxicating sights and sounds of Gumar and his Magical Midi Band, an Oly-based performative phenomenon that's swept through the town like wild fire. This weekend, the band--a DJ, two additional vocalists, and a slew of friends touting glammed up mock instruments-- took prestigious stage at the Washington Center for Performing Arts, "rocking out" to a crowd of fiercely loyal followers. I'd caught snippets of Midi Band shows in the past, but this was the first time I had the privilege of experiencing an entire set. Yes, experiencing, not listening or watching. The band performs, in the strongest sense of the word, and the audience ingests it all: emphatic and infectious beats, heartwarming and hilarious lyrics, off the cuff dance moves, glamor and glitz to the utmost, and sweat--a whole lotta' sweat.

Speaking of sweat, Gumar's audience got a little warm-up from another Oly-originated group, The Blow. Comprised of a behind-the-scenes DJ and a commanding front woman, The Blow elevates electronic music to philosophy and sophisticated stand-up. While the dude provides the beats, the singer traverses the set with songs and stories of break-ups, trips through the digestive system, and girl power. If you listen closely, you'll even glean lessons in econ and existentialism; if you attend a show, you'll learn how to dance like a malfunctioning robot and still look cool.