Robert Delong’s army of neon painted patrons rejoiced as he appeared right on time to perform at the Parish Theater in Austin, Texas for his first of two shows. Matching the crowd with his signature bright green colored left side of his face, Delong immediately riled up the crowd as he played his opener, In The Cards, which is also the first song and namesake of his newest album.
As expected, Robert DeLong showcased his multiple talents, switching from his two drum sets to his computer to an electric guitar. Even more impressive was his innovative use of video game devices as musical instruments, like the Nintendo 64 and Wii controllers to play some of his bizarre, yet catchy sounds. Between his rapid drum solos and constant jumping, it was impossible not to catch his contagious energy.
The highlight for most fans was the performance of his newest single, Jealousy. The most impressive aspect about this song was his ability to make his live performance sound so similar to his electronically distorted album version. He was always pushing new buttons, twisting new knobs, and shaking his microphone to make various noises and effects.
By the end of the show, the room got so hot from the dancing fans that Robert Delong’s computer froze mid-song. You would think that the fans who were most anticipating his hits, like Long Way Down and Global Concepts that Delong saved for last, would be disappointed that the songs were interrupted, but it was the very opposite. Instead, the crowd cheered the performer on and danced to the beats that weren’t even playing.
The show ended with Robert Delong’s humble goodbye, thanking Austin for all of the support, followed by the fans singing Happy Birthday to Delong, who would be turning 30 at midnight. Although many stuck around hoping for an encore, Robert DeLong remained backstage, likely to begin celebrating his birthday and preparing for his show the following night. All in all it was a successful night, especially for the concert goers who were able to see an up-and-coming artist in such an intimate venue.
