Smiles. It’s amazing how infectious these simple expressions of joy can be. When Matt & Kim finally graced the stage Tuesday night, they came bearing grins and sparked the crowd ablaze. The collective mood of everyone in the gorgeous Peabody Opera House instantly elevated once the couple showed their faces.

The Peabody’s colossal stage, festooned with ornate gold art deco accents, could not be a more perfect place for a musical performance. Simply put, this venue is astonishingly beautiful. Its impeccable design serves more than just an aesthetic purpose, as the historic theater, built in 1934, is acoustically pristine.

I know what you’re thinking. How can a classy venue with seats still foster the kind of energy expected from a Matt & Kim performance? Matt himself admitted to being a bit nervous about the lack of an open pit. But those fears were immediately swayed by the crowd’s raucous energy.
In my interview with Matt last week, he told me that when he sees the crowd having a good time, he can’t help but enjoy himself just as much (if not more). The Brooklyn couple clearly felt the vibes Tuesday night, as the packed 3,500-seat auditorium carried the collective cheers of the eager crowd.

Because it’s unlike anything else I’ve seen, I struggle trying to describe the type of atmosphere Matt & Kim promote, but here’s my sense of things. It’s as if the show is just a party; everyone’s invited, and the talented couple is just another group of ragers there to have a good time. They just happen to make music, and do so quite well.

It’s the connection you feel. It’s the sense that they are, actually, really happy to see your smiling face in the audience. It’s the sense that while your night was made, you, in fact, made their night. This is why a Matt & Kim show should be on your bucket list.

Not to be outdone, Passion Pit’s headlining performance proved that the crew’s brand of synthy indie pop sounds just as good live as in the studio. The energy never ebbed throughout their lengthy set; these guys have clearly learned something from being on tour with live-performance legends Matt & Kim.
The show was a blast, and what a venue! Next time a band you love comes through the Peabody, don’t hesitate; it’s worth the money. As for the bands at Tuesday’s show, you simply cannot go wrong. Thanks to Matt & Kim and Passion Pit, the smile on my face has yet to subside.