Twen’s Fate Euphoric tour stop summons their riotous crowd to recordBar

1 hour ago

Alex Agueros,

Twen. // photo by Alex Agueros

Twen are fiercely independent. They run their own label, book their own shows, design their own visuals, and produce their own music. About eight years ago, the duo fashioned their tour van into a mobile home, solidifying lives engrossed in art.

While their latest collection of eclectic sounds, Fate Euphoric, continued their reputation of defying genre, the DIY punk ethos of Jane Fitzsimmons and Ian Jones–complete with dozens of fans joining them on stage–were on full display Thursday, April 9, at recordBar in Kansas City.

Lead vocalist Fitzsimmons performed with Sunset Boulevard-level facial expression and a free-spirited witchiness, casting the music like a spell upon the crowd. She often directed energy from the band with a red, mallet-like wand, swinging it for high-energy thunderstorms, “Prelude to Waterloo,” “Tumbleweed,” and knighting fans in the crowd with it, bestowing municipal titles like alderman and mayor.

“I’d vote for all of you,” Fitzsimmons laughed.

Twen. // photo by Alex Agueros

Summoned by Fitzsimmons’ prop, more than 20 people joined the band on stage for “Bore U,” and “Sweet Dreams (In the Parking Lot),” a pair of groovy, dance-forward tracks from their 2022 release, One Stop Shop. As the crowd on stage returned to their standing room, Fitzsimmons announced the slow-dance portion of the night, which included the Florida-pilled single “SeaStar” and a cover of Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over.”

“This is the touching part of the set–as long as it’s consensual!” Fitzsommons said.

Each member of the touring five-piece had hair long enough to shake, with the lone evidence of ears being a glimpse through the locs of bassist Camden Pink and the precision with which the group blended their unique formula of indie pop, funk, and alternative. Perhaps at the sacrifice of subtle psych-rock elements, the volume generated by the five-piece was a welcome arrangement during the run of certified bangers stashed for the end of the set – leveling up Fate Euphoric favorites “Allnighter” and “Godlike,” producing a dreamy, singalong atmosphere for the finale “Hahahome,” and, on One Stop Shop’s title track, providing insight into their van-lifing, DIY approach.

“That there’s a one-stop shop for a fading revolution,” Fitzsimmons repeats on One Stop Shop’s title track. “There isn’t always time.”

Monsoon. // photo by Alex Agueros

Another punky duo, Monsoon, has toured with Twen on three of four legs of their recent circuit. With members Sienna Chandler and Joseph Kegel blanketed in long shadows, their explosive intensity helped smooth the edges of the jagged, glass-crushing art rock on their 2022 album, Ghost Party.

“We love to seriously rock out,” said Sienna Chandler, before letting her guitar hang low for a performance of a currently unreleased song.

Kegel, on drums, nailed each unpredictable transition and provided punch among the avalanche of guitars. As the crowd grew to about 300, Chandler ended the set of ballistic rhythms with a polite apology.

“Sorry, my voice is getting shaky!” she said.

All photos by Alex Agueros

Twen