OK Go returned to lead singer Damian Kulash's hometown of D.C. to perform in the Tavern April 27.
The alternative rock group made a scene in the Tavern with electronic light up suits and a confetti cannon that shot 100 pounds of confetti over the course of the show.
Opening with "Do What You Want" and "White Knuckles," OK Go performed in front of a crowd of about 200, stopping periodically between songs with Kulash asking the crowd for questions, chiding the AU students and guests that filled slightly over half the Tavern.
After singing "Happy Birthday" to a concertgoer, Kulash noted that his parents were in the audience and talked about the musical acts he saw in D.C. growing up such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, drawing a wave of applause.
The band's electric guitar riffs throughout many songs were a popular part of the evening, along with a performance of "Return" using handbells. But the real highlights were the opening bars of the electric guitar during "Here It Goes Again", OK Go's most popular song, which was popularized by the band's famous treadmill music video. The upbeat tone and pace of the song had the audience cheering and jumping for the length of the song.
After playing "A Million Ways" and "Get Over It," the crowd genuinely was excited, sticking around near the stage after the band played their last track. A cheer of "one more song" echoed throughout the half-empty Tavern as the small but dedicated group of fans encouraged OK Go back onto the stage.
The band came back onto the stage with electronic lights on the back of their suits that read "OK Go" and launched into the final set of the evening.
The final song was "This Too Shall Pass," another track that had a clever music video, this time featuring an elaborate Rube Goldberg machine. Kulash had the crowd sing the chorus of the song while the band played, drawing cheers.
For a group that has played at large music festivals including Firefly, Outside Lands and Lollapalooza, OK Go drew a small turnout.
But those who chose to go enjoyed listening to a band that has defined and subsequently recreated the early years of viral music videos.
dlim@theeagleonline.com
