Photos and Review by Jeff Palmucci
Galleries: Dorothy, Spirit Animal, Carissa Johnson
Every once in a while, a new band comes up in my recommended list on Spotify. Sometimes, to their credit, they just nail the suggestion. As I’ve written in the past, I work on these algorithms in my day job and this always impresses me. You can toss a ton of data at a machine and it can give you an insight that you hadn’t had beforehand. The machine can be creative.
In one such burst of genius, Dorothy came up on my recommended list a couple of months ago. I absolutely love this band. I’ve been listening to them so much ever since that my family’s ears are starting to bleed.
When I told my wife that I was going to shoot the show, she surprised the hell out of me by asking me to get her a ticket too. She and I do *not* agree on music very much. I’m more of a metal and punk guy, and she is more into classic poppy rock. Nevertheless, there we were at the Paradise last Friday, listening to a great night of music together.
First out was Carissa Johnson and the Cure-Alls. Unfortunately, the ticket said doors at 7, show at 8, and these guys were well into their set by the time I showed up at 7:45. Carissa, originally from Boston, won the 2017 Rock and Roll Rumble. They have a melodic punk sound, and are touring in support of their new album, Talk Talk Talk.
Spirit Animal was up next and there were a ton of fans in the house. The crowd went wild on the intro to several songs, especially House on Fire. Give it a listen.
Dorothy finished up the night, and they put on an amazing show. They’ve got a bluesy rock sound that sounds somehow new and classic at the same time. People have made comparisons to Grace Slick in the past, and even though I can see that, they definitely have their own style.
The setlist consisted of a pretty even mix between 2016’s Rockisdead and 2018’s 28 Days in the Valley. Unfortunately, they didn’t play one of my favorites, Gun In My Hand, But hey, this is my article and I can put in whatever links I want. Nyah!
It’s pretty amazing what a great following Dorothy has built up in such a short time. We were standing next to people who drove from New Hampshire and Maine (5 1/2 hours!) in order to get to the show. I don’t blame them, but I’m glad I didn’t have to drive that far. With their insanely grueling tour schedule, it’s not likely you will have to either. Go check them out.
Dorothy Set List
- Naked Eye
- Raise Hell
- Ain’t Our Time To Die
- After Midnight
- Pretty When You’re High
- Medicine Man
- Whiskey Fever
- Philadelphia
- Who Do You Love
- Flawless
- Down to the Bottom
- Freedom