Concert review and photos: Hoyotoho, Ishi, and Black Tie Dynasty at Granada Theater (October 2)

by Jessica Harp

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Black Tie Dynasty was the perfect addition and closer to a night of music that was heavily inspired by the ‘80s.

DALLAS — Saturday night might have been a time when OU fans were celebrating their victory against Texas in the Red River Rivalry, but at the Granada Theater, local music was clearly the winner for the evening.

Opening the special “Ten Dolla Holla” local show (meaning, $10 to get in) was Hoyotoho, whose music was as all over the place as their name is. Their sound was similar to that of ‘80s new wave legends Depeche Mode but is updated to appeal to the younger hipster crowd. The band may be young, but their set was beyond their years. Hoyotoho has incredible talent, which will take them far, especially when their forthcoming record is released.

Following Hoyotoho’s performance were rising local stars Ishi. It has been a while since the band has been gigging heavily, and it was apparent at the show Saturday night. The wait for Ishi to take the stage was a long one since they had to set up more lighting than usual. Four tall rectangular screens were placed behind the band, and light would hit the screens from a projector that was attached to a computer placed in the crowd. The light was then manipulated to spell the band's name on the four screens – the reason why it took so long for Ishi to take the stage.

The end product was spectacular-multicolored lights, patterns, and images that unfortunately took away from the Ishi’s performance, hiding them in the shadows instead of making them the focal point of the concert. However, Ishi may have wanted to hide their lackluster performance in the shadows. Many times throughout their set, Ishi lead singer and mastermind John T. Mudd would disappear from the stage, something made easy since the light show was so distracting.

Their performance seemed to lack energy and spirit. Although the music was a little on the low-key side, Ishi has had better shows with more vivacity than they had Saturday night.

The headliner of the night, Black Tie Dynasty, regained the energy that Ishi lost the moment the band took the stage. Their upbeat ‘80s new wave hooks kept the audience dancing from start to finish.

The music that Black Tie Dynasty puts out sounds similar to that of The Cult mixed with Joy Division, a beat that is hard to deny dancing to. It is easy to imagine their music being featured in a John Hughes-esque ‘80s teen flick, since Black Tie Dynasty has updated and perfected the music that helped create a soundtrack for a generation. It's a feat hard to accomplish, but the band has done it effortlessly.

Black Tie Dynasty was the perfect closer to a night of music that was heavily inspired by the ‘80s. They were the cherry on top of a near-perfect playbill for the Granada Theater and a great Saturday night.

Photos by Bill Ellison

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