Itchy-O, a 38 member electronic marching band, is unlike any other performance group.
They destroy conceptions about what live music can be by eliminating the divide of performer and crowd with masked and ecstatic chaos. Itchy-O, who played this Friday at the Gothic Theatre in Denver, not only occupies the stage, but performs from the crowd as well.
Itchy-O started as a flash-mob style performance art collective out of Denver, and over the last few years, has been growing in notoriety. Now instead of crashing parties and spreading madness down the 16th Street Mall, they are packing the Gothic Theater almost to capacity.
The 38 members of the group descended upon the crowd from every entrance of the Gothic Theater. They shoved, danced and blasted their way into the center of the crowd.
Imagine an S&M style black clad, masked, marching band of celebratory chaos. All around the venue there were synthesizers, burka clad “creepers,” Chinese dragons, members wearing speakers blasting out warped inaudible vocals, among other absurdities.
No member’s face is visible, there is no front man, no dialog to the audience, no introduction or goodbye and no idea what is going to happen next. One fan even said before the show, “even though I have seen them before, I still have no idea what to expect.” The aspect of mystery added to the tension and anticipation that Itchy-O used to distort perception.
They pushed the Gothic to the edge of chaos, it seemed to almost be pure anarchy at points, but there was coordination even amongst all the noise. The entire event seemed to be both premeditated and organic. Itchy-O expertly towed the line of free expression and cooperation.
Their performance makes time irrelevant and alcohol unnecessary. The disorientation of being a part of the Itchy-O experience warps reality into a swirling manic hysteria. Whether pressed together at the crux of madness or watching from the balcony, the Itchy-O experience was inescapable.
They re-imagine what a show is every time they perform. The environment they create is unique to them, for now. As one concert goer put it, “Itchy-O is revolutionizing music!” Adding, “An Itchy-O show is a spiritual exfoliate.” After my first experience, I would have to agree.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Matthew Dubois at matthew.dubois@colorado.edu
