Article and Photos by: Kristina Dawn

PORTLAND, OR — Lewis Del Mar, an experimental pop-rock band from Queens, NY, is relatively new to the music scene. Only releasing their first self titled EP in October of last year. But with their immense complexity, oddity, and originality, you would think Lewis Del Mar had been creating music together for many years.

Just three months after their successful EP release, Lewis Del Mar find themselves opening up for Young the Giant on their Home of the Strange Tour, kicking things off with two sold out shows here at The Roseland Theater in Portland, OR.

If you’ve ever attended a live show, you’ve probably noticed how uninterested most audiences are with openers. But that definitely wasn’t the case with Lewis Del Mar. Within the first song a dancing mosh pit broke out in the middle of the crowd and continued for the remainder of their 45 minute set. Performing favorites “Loud(y),” “14 Faces,” and “Puerto Cabezas, NI.”

Next up, the infamous Young the Giant, fronted by Sameer Gadhia donned in a bright orange jump suit. YTG have a reputation for being some of the best live performers in music today, but even that is an understatement. With a very original stage design, a 3D representation of their latest album Home of the Strange, with rows of colorful flags from around the world, and their classic mountain range backdrop.

Every member of Young the Giant, from guitarists Eric Cannata and Payam Doostzadeh, to drummer François Comtois, and bassist Jacob Tilley, took the time to interact with the crowd. Sameer even teasing the front row by crouching down just inches from their eager hands to intimately sing the lyrics of “Something to Believe In.”

Being that the bands members have such a diverse racial background, including many immigrants and mish-moshes of faiths and creeds, it seemed fitting that Sameer make a short moving speech on the current state of immigration in the U.S. before their title track “Home of the Strange.”

Ending their 15 song set with a three track encore of “Amerika,” “Silvertongue,” and the single that brought Young the Giant into the mainstream spotlight in 2013 “My Body.” Make sure you catch Young the Giant and Lewis Del Mar on their current Home of the Strange Tour, spanning across the U.S. until March!