Savoir Adore @ DC9 - 11/28/18
Lauren Zettler of Savoir Adore performing at their recent set at DC9 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Amanda Molloy / @street.joy)
The name of indie pop duo Savoir Adore roughly translates to “to know love” in French — and love is exactly what was felt throughout their short but sweet set at DC9 on November 28th. Led by co-vocalists Paul Hammer and Lauren Zettler, the band put on a show that demonstrated their ability to dazzle an audience with the help of some blissful melodies.
The DC show was Savoir Adore’s second stop on a short tour in support of their latest release, First Bloom. The six songs that make up the project serve as the first part of a two-part album, with the remainder set to be released next year. In an Instagram post, Zettler said “The conceptual idea of releasing a record in two parts has been kind of difficult to explain, but look at it this way: becoming who you are doesn’t happen instantly. We are an ever-evolving mass of time and experience and emotions. It happens in stages. Art does too.” Evolving is exactly what Savoir Adore is doing. Standout tracks from First Bloom, such as “When the Summer Ends” are brighter, poppier, and more synth-driven than ever before.
The group took command of the stage and lit up the room with infectious dance tunes like “Slow Motion.” Just as easily, they were able to enchant during their slower tracks like intimate “Black and Blue,” which showcased Zettler’s vocals and the band’s lyrical strengths. The highlight of the show was the closing performance of “Dreamers,” a vibrant track from 2012 album Our Nature. Savoir Adore has noted it as one of their favorite songs to play live, and it’s clear to see why — they had the whole room singing along.
Opening for Savoir Adore was Eighty Ninety, the Brooklyn-based brainchild of brothers Abner and Harper James. The set’s nostalgic themes were paired with a sound that seamlessly blended soft acoustics with elements of electronica. Eighty Ninety’s latest single “Dream” was released on June 15th.
