Dopapod brought the heat and the funky jams to the Wonder Ballroom on a cold, rainy Wednesday evening in Portland. What an absolute pleasure to be able to see this band at their peak, going out on top of their game and on their own terms. This tour is a true tribute to their entire career, and a love letter to fans new and old. Before we go in I catch myself thinking back to seeing the band in Louisville, Kentucky years ago with friends from my hometown. Even though we travelled a bit for the show, the community and the energy was amazing and truly something you don't forget, and this was fresh on my mind as we approached the venue. Walking into the room during the opening of the groovy classic “Black and White” felt like a warm hug from an old friend and the song had the whole room dancing almost immediately.
As Eli’s synths and Rob’s guitar’s call and response escalated, the lights kicked up and the jams commenced and continued through a rousing “My Elephant Vs Your Elephant” and into “Numbers Need Humans”. Stand out moments included an irresistibly funky and at times unpredictable rendition of the single “Dracula’s Monk,” an extended synth jam with Dave of local Portland band Yak Attack, and of course the absolute barn-burner that was “Trapper Keeper” (which is already one of my favorites). The song jammed out for what felt like 15 or 20 minutes before the crescendo into the final chorus where the lights dazzled and crowd roared with applause. I love watching the band stretch their legs and lose themselves in these songs on what is their victory lap. Rob’s style and tone are favorites of mine, feeling to me remeniscent of David Gilmour but even more virtuosic. Eli’s piano/synth adds so much texture and richness to the jams, Chuck is always holding things down on the low end, with help from Fro on the drums keeping it locked in and groovy.
After the announcement of the hard curfew, the band quickly launched into the appropriately titled “End on the Yea” from their most recent double album AIBOHPHOBIA, and left us all walking (and dancing) on air. You could truly feel the love in the room as the crowd stuck around after the house lights came up to take a large group photo (that Eli even snuck into as well). I hate to say goodbye to a band this good, but maybe this goodbye isn’t forever? We can only hope.
