Atlantic Records

Coming into my summer marketing internship here at Atlantic Records, one of the artists I was most excited to work with was my long time favorite and newly signed band, Portugal. The Man. On June 3rd, just the third day of my internship, I got the chance to head to the east village and see the band headline a show at Webster Hall. With over 800 live performances to date, Portugal. The Man is without a doubt a seasoned live band, and showed exactly why they're playing some of the best festivals in the country this summer.

Opening the show were New Zealand’s Unknown Moral Orchestra and Merge Records band Telekinesis. While UMO were a little shaky, Telekinesis provided a good precursor for Portugal's set, with their multi-instrumentalist front-man Michael Benjamin Lerner really shining through. Shortly after their sets ended, a screen was set up on stage, the lights dimmed and a projector started rolling Portugal. The Man’s new short film, “Sleep Forever”. With the sprawling aerial shots, snarling dogs and unexpected ending, the video sure got the crowd dialed in and ready for the upcoming set.

Emerging from the billowing clouds of smoke and glowing red lights, the band entered the stage as keyboardist Ryan Neighbors provided a bass heavy synth intro. They started off with a mutated and slow version of "How The Leopard Got Its Spots" that gradually evolved into a blistering psychedelic jam. Beginning with songs primarily from their 4th release, The Satanic Satanist, the band performed an interesting setlist that started mellow and built towards a climactic conclusion.

Now one notable difference from their past performances was the addition of touring member Noah Gersh. The added guitars, percussion, and backing vocals gave some nice textures and depth to their more recent songs. Another one of my favorite aspects of Portugal. The Man is the way they weave improvisation into their pop structured rock songs. The jams this night moved from fast punk beats to crushing half time blues seamlessly as front-man John Gourley crafted heartfelt solos effortlessly.

After performing their new single “Got It All” from the upcoming In The Mountain In The Cloud, Portugal. The Man began building towards the intense climax at the end of their set. They broke it down with a reggae version of "New Orleans" before going right into the highlight of the night, the blues inspired "Bellies Are Full". Finishing up with crowd favorites "People Say" and "Aka m80 The Wolf", the band exited the stage to loud applause and cheers from the audience.

As the encore began, the band spoke the most words they would say all night, with bassist Zach Carothers thanking the audience for attending this monumental show. Then began the feedback, the smoke, and their most raucous song of all, "Chicago". While this song got the crowd moving, it was the last song "And I" that really gave a sense of closure to the night.

This was my fifth time seeing Portugal. The Man, and was without a doubt the best performance I've seen yet. After witnessing how the band has grown and progressed, I am more excited than ever to work with them and hear their new record, In The Mountain In The Cloud.

Set List
How The Leopard Got Its Spots->The Home->Jam
Guns & Dogs
Do You
The Dead Dog
Senseless
The Sun
Colors
The Home
The Woods
Got It All
Mornings
New Orleans
Bellies Are Full
I Would Rather Go Blind (Etta James Cover)
Shade
60 Years
People Say
Aka M80 The Wolf

Encore:
Chicago
Stables & Chairs -> And I

Nick H., Marketing Intern 2011, Atlantic Records