Wye Oak’s Modest Music In Kuala Lumpur

Two Reverend guitars, a drum set, an electronic synth with a parrot sticker were ready on stage. Everyone in Publika The Bee were ready to enjoy the sound of indie rock duo Wye Oak for their first time ever performance in Southeast Asia held on May 11^th, a part of the tour for their impressive third album “Civilian”. The master of effortlessly harming indie-rock duo Wye Oak held the crowd’s attention so brilliantly in Malaysia.

Froya , a local swing pop band who have made quite the impression with their softness and hip song opened the night crowd up just before Wye Oak comes to stage. Froya brought seven of their songs, including “Save My Heart”, “Fries and Cream” and “Panic Bird”. As the band entered the stage with a start of their first song, there was an instant chemistry captivated by the music, the band and the audience.”Two Small Death“ Jenn Wasner technically strong singer, and being made to perform twisty melodies at full pelt for taxes his voice till you wince in sympathy.

“Holy Holy” was next, the minor audio clipping in the bridge was extravagant and literally perfect, some of crowd started singing along, out of nowhere I heard someone kept roaring “the searing gorgeous holy holy ! ” right after their third song. They showed how big they love the crowd “I already heard I know you’re awesome. So far, don’t screw it up” the band was communicative into crowd interaction, audience kept asking her a questions, she answered it friendly and even made a joke of it. “Altar” made a different mood for the audience, illusionist fantastic with delayed melody coming from the guitar and perfectly hit the crowd, they showed the differences of their own indie rock style of genres and it was kick ass! Throughout the whole set I personally couldn’t shake off the feeling that the band sounded unique and original even some of people have compared them with The White Stripes, or War Paint. The crowd had been pumped up as “Take It In“ was played next, followed by three other songs including the single “Civilian” and the crowd’s most-requested “That I Do”. Few of the crowd were mostly dancing with a beer in hand, some were quiet and couple were chattering and cuddling.

Surprisingly right before playing their single Civilian Jenn gave out a spoiler, great news about them going to add a bassist as the new member of Wye Oak band. “I know something is missing in our band we need bass in our song but we couldn’t afford bass guitar (giggling), but next time we would bring bass guitar it’s going to be awesome, definitely next time!”

After Civilian, the single known as one of TV series soundtrack “Walking Dead”, they left the stage, people were nowhere near jaded and kept on screaming for encore. It was our lucky night. They came back to the stage and continued to play another 2 songs, right after the audience asked “what is your favourite band?”, they awkwardly couldn’t answer it, but nonetheless they played one of their favourite song “Neil Young – Pocahontas” As Jenn tuned her guitar to get ready for her solo, she shared that she worked at Gilmores Cafe on Baltimore, The Bee reminds her to that place and said this place is even better, thanked The Bee for having them! Then Jenn Waster dramatically ended the show singing “Doubt” as solo guitar. Well, there they were on stage in Kuala Lumpur for their very first time, loving the crowd and the crowd loved them too. We hope that they keep their words to come back here again.  (Viary Chandra//Made Sania)