Pontiac is a northern suburb of Detroit known for having colorful nightlife and last Tuesday evening proved why. Their downtown was a buzz with streets closed and stages set up. The Crofoot, an acclaimed entertainment complex, was hosting a community concert series with hundreds of locals gathered. The venue was also hosting Norway’s own Leprous who is on a headlining tour promoting their new album, Melodies of Atonement (InsideOut Music). Having provincial rap acts perform outside and having a hot, progressive band play inside showed off the versatility and innovation of the beloved music venue.
The show began with a band not even on the night’s bill. The group that was supposed to open was late so the act who was scheduled to perform on the Crofoot’s small stage, was asked to play in the main hall. Nighdrator, who is on their own short tour run, kindly obliged. Hailing from Mississippi, this alternative rock outfit brought their own flavor of zest and grunge to share. Their loud, direct jams jived well with the crowd, and everyone appreciated them changing their plans.
The local act that was supposed to open, Annex Void, arrived and took over thirty minutes to get set up. Then they decided to keep us in suspense by leaving the stage and doing a full introduction with a dramatic entrance. The crowd had waited over an hour already so what was a few minutes more. The quintet broke out into an aggressively progressive piece that everyone seemed to perk up at. The vocals had a nice range of cleans and screams that fit the band’s atmospheric and big breakdown moments. While the bones of the songs seemed good, the cohesiveness was not there. They did not interact well with the crowd and they could not even connect with each other. Everyone has off nights and at least some kudos must be given for their effort.
To everyone’s surprise, Leprous came out next. On this tour, another Norwegian act was supposed to play. Since the other groups took up most of the evening, ticket holders missed out on one of the bands they paid money to see. It was a huge disappointment to miss out on Fight the Fight, but all were ecstatic to have the headliners to begin. 
The room was dark until the first cord was struck, and the colorful lights began to spin. They opened their set with a number off their newest record and then dove into a couple older and beloved pieces. The whole set hopped around their discography from “My Specter.” to “From the Flames” to “Out of Here.” The back and forth between classics and new numbers was perfectly balanced. Each member gorgeously flowed in and between each song. Leprous plays and moves with a swagger that showcases their capabilities in a smooth and sultry sway. Their innovative and dynamically diverse song writing creates many moods, and they effortlessly were able to capture each one in their playing. From their jazzier moments, to pop, to metal. They dabble in it all.
Frontman Einar Solberg charmed the crowd with his convicting performance and delightfully at-ease dialogue. His intensity would escalate as he belted and then gently soothe with his soft, flawless falsetto. The precision and delight each of the six members put into their craft was a joy to witness live. As the light show shifted from luscious colors of magenta to a soft, precious peach hue, all danced along in cohesion to the variety of movements being hammered out. The ruptures of bombastic thunder to the sweet, ethereal, and thoughtful moments caused the heart to race.
Solberg claimed that one of the most extreme and time-consuming efforts he has made is gathering a fan choir to join Leprous on each stop of the tour to sing on “Faceless”. The stage grew crowded as eager devotees accompanied them on the number. To see the band and their followers sing side by side showed how music beautifully brings people together. The final song of the evening came too quickly. Solberg threw a water bottle into a crowd and stated that whoever caught the coveted item could list three of the group’s songs and they would pick on to play as the finale. This daring choice solidified how truly proficient and accomplished this act is. It also highlighted how these guys engage, are aware, and how much they appreciate their fans. The night ended with “Restless” from one of their most popular albums, Bilateral. The cheers from the crowd went on long after the last member took his final bow. Leprous proved to be impeccable live and incredibly gracious towards their fans making it no mystery why they are rapidly becoming one of the most popular bands in the scene.
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WORDS AND PHOTOS BY RAGIN ROSIE