On March 10, 2009 electro-sensation from down under Cut Copy sold out for their second show in Los Angeles at The Henry Fonda Theater. Fans ushered in the evening by jamming the floor under a pink spot light and grooving to house music that emanated from a live DJ booth suspended over the crowd. As the theater lights finally dimmed around 10:30, and ecstatic cheering erupted, the Melbourne mixing masters mounted the stage with an elaborate multihued, striated, syncopating fluorescent backdrop, as beams of neon lights transformed The Music Box’s antique, baroque interior into a futuristic rave.
Cut Copy squeezed in an extensive song mix that melded Bright Like Neon Love, In Ghost Colors, and a taste of their most recent material, unaware of the impending events that would close their set. Hypnotized by the lights and music, the tightly packed venue moved as one from the very start of “Hearts on Fire.” Accompanying an out-of-this-world light spectacle, a breathtaking set expanded with “Far Away,” “Visions,” “Nobody Lost, Nobody Found,” and “Autobahn Music Box.” A positive reaction to the not yet released “Sands of Time” received approval from the ardent audience and the uplifting resonance escalated with such favorites as, “Saturdays,” “Feel the Love,” “Unforgettable Season,” “So Haunted-Knightlife,” and “Out There on the Ice.” Residual distortion swirled into another unreleased song “Right on Target” as Dan Whitford announced, “It’s time to show your appreciation and f***ing dance!” The crowd complied.
All was well at the Hollywood hub until the band huddled together at the front of the stage after fifty minutes of music. Even “cutters” became suspicious. Usually, this part of the act indicates the typical encore pattern: the band exits; the audience chants and demands more; the band re-enters to complete the set. However, when the crimson velvet curtain reopened, Cut Copy remained in a cluster and offered only apologies and disappointed shoulder shrugs, “We’re really sorry. We have to stop playing. There’s nothing we can do about it. The Fire Marshall has shut us down. We would continue if we could. We’re sorry.” “Boo’s” of shock, dissatisfaction, and bewilderment swept the theater, but the sole option was to exit. The roof-top after party was canceled as well and merchandise sales outlawed. Thwarted fans moved slowly but cooperatively outside where the fire department and security hastened them along. Rumor has it, the theater was over sold-out. Even though the night ended abruptly, Cut Copy’s devotees, although frustrated and confused, were completely satisfied with the considerable show they had experienced. Catch up with Cut Copy at www.cutcopy.net and www.myspace.com/cutcopy for the final dates of their North American tour, photos, merchandise, and samples of this exceptional Aussie band's new tracks.
