Fujiya and Miyagi threw it down at La Vitrola

Fujiya & Miyagi @ La Vitrola
August 31st 2014

Obscured from street view, La Vitrola sits above what appears to be an old, defunct, restaurant. One must climb a set of dark stairs, and search for the hand written sign indicating the band they’re seeking. Behind the DIY sign, this hidden gem of a venue boasts superb sound quality, and enough dance floor space to move freely. It was an ideal spot for the fairly intimate Fujiya & Miyagi show.

The small crowd present was, very obviously, a group of long-time, dedicated fans. About 5 or 6 men, making up a third of the crowd, swayed with their full pints and screamed; they claimed to have driven all the way from Newfoundland for the show alone. Newfoundland to Montreal was an impressive feat for a Sunday drive.

Fujiya & Miyagi climbed on stage without sound or warning. The band looked somber, in control, as if attending to their instruments was an unconscious automation. The backdrop of red, velvet curtains paired with the red lights beaming down gave them even more of an uncanny, mechanical vibe. They appeared like music automatons, their sound cues and rhythms perfectly in sync during their opening track, “Artificial Sweeteners.” The crowd responded without hesitation, as if they had been awakened; alive in movement, ebbing and flowing, stomping their feet, jumping towards the ceiling. They were dedicated in their display of utmost appreciation for Fujiya & Miyagi.

All four men were dressed down, casual in jumpers and jeans, reminiscent of a chilly English summer. Matt Hainsby took to the mic a few times to address the crowd, but his soft Bristolian accent was drowned out and inaudible over the cries of a drunk, excited audience. Best cooed his lyrics with closed eyes, a slight whisper following each word. During “Acid to my Alkaline,” the audience screamed the lyrics alongside Best, enthralled, engaged, and elated. He then attempted a gentle “Merci,” the sentiment was well received, and all howled in response.

The most striking aspect of the Fujiya & Miyagi show was the amount of power spewing from their instruments. For a band with such a minimalist aesthetic, such repetitive rhythms, such delicate vocals, their live show exuded a level of dominance and moxie that was completely unexpected, surpassing their studio albums tenfold. It is obvious these guys are more than familiar with their songs and their instruments. The precision in each melody, on each strike of a skin, made it appear as though their respective instruments were simply additional appendages. The show overall had it’s flaws, but hardly in its delivery of the most important aspect, the music. Their encore was graceful and refined, yet solid and vigorous; no doubt the highlight of the show. “Knickerbocker” led cleanly into “Ankle Injuries,” which had the entire crowd chanting “Fujiya, Miyagi, Fujiya, Miyagi” in unison. Lee Adams broke a stick and replaced it without, literally, missing a beat, falling right back in line. They finished with crashing symbols, snappy synths, heavy bass riffs, and the quiet drawl of Best’s voice. A few members of the crowd jumped on stage to flail aimlessly between the band members as they churned out their final number with intensity. Fujiya & Miyagi were unmoved, serene in the hot lights, undisturbed by the distraction, focused and fluttering in their own little bubble.