Capital Cities Wows Hollywood Fans With Hits and Unreleased Tracks

Sandra Miska

Los Angeles-based duo Capital Cities played a hometown show Nov. 23 at The Fonda Theatre, and both band and audience were full of energy and gratitude on Thanksgiving Eve. Glendale native Sebu Simonian and USC grad Ryan Merchant formed Capital Cities in 2010 after the two men met on Craigslist. In 2013, they released their LP “A Tidal Wave of Mystery” and since then have been touring, notably with Katy Perry’s on her “Prism” show. This year, Capital Cities have started work on the follow-up to “Tidal Wave,” and the Fonda audience got a preview, including the new hit “Vowels.”

“Tidal Wave” has multiple upbeat songs that promote positive messages, including the dance-pop track “One Minute More,” the song they chose to kick off the evening. Other familiar tunes included the catchy “Kangaroo Court;” “I Sold My Bed, But Not My Stereo”( a tribute to music passion); the ode to pop culture “Farah Fawcett Hair;” and their biggest hit to date, “Safe and Sound.” As for the unreleased tracks, the audience greeted the new sounds with gusto. Songs include “River Phoenix,” a tribute to the actor who tragically died on the Sunset Strip at age 23 in 1993.

The evening also included three covers, the first being a superb rendition of Pink Floyd’s “Breathe.” Simonian and Merchant also put their own spin on Madonna’s “Holiday” and Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U.” There was plenty of dancing both on and off stage, notably during “Center Stage,” when the band led the audience in fun moves they choreographed and have called the “Capital Cities Shuffle.”

The fun didn’t stop when the official set ended and Merchant and most of the rest of the band departed backstage. Simonian kept the party going by playing beats from his laptop. The pride and jubilance he felt in his hometown was evident throughout the show, and he and Merchant had given fans something to be grateful for before they went home and prepared for their Turkey Day.

Opening for Capital Cities was Kaneholler, a soulful electronic duo out of Venice Beach. The newcomers got the crowd in the mood with an enthusiastic set the included a cover of Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman” and several original songs, including “Paper Games” and “Someone New.”

Capital Cities performed Nov. 23 at The Fonda Theatre.