Words and Photos by Alder Boutin
Indie singer Madhavi Devi performed to an enthusiastic crowd at Kung Fu Necktie, an intimate Philadelphia venue, on February 13th. This show was the final stop on her inaugural headlining tour, dubbed “What You Make It,” after her most recent single release. Local alt rock band Valendina and touring support act Scxtty opened the show.
Before taking the stage, Madhavi wove through the crowd, distributing valentines made of heart-shaped chocolates taped to love-themed lyrics from her songs. I received one that read “i’d take the sun for u” in Comic Sans font next to an image of Madhavi with her hand on her heart.
The live experience brought a new depth to Madhavi’s already vibrant songwriting. She used the whole stage space, whether she just had her microphone or was “in guitar jail,” as she affectionately referred to the time she spent playing her instrument. After a few songs (and a few sips of her drink), she abandoned her shoes and skipped around the stage in just her socks, throwing her arms out emphatically.
I had the chance to catch up with Madhavi after the show and gather some insight into her performance style. “I can’t dance,” she told me, “but this was the first time I ditched an instrument, and it felt so freeing.”
She also explained why this tour felt so special to her. “I think the best part of those shows was going in with no expectations, and just the intention of having fun without judging myself for how I expressed that joy,” she said. Sure enough, she seemed to be soaking in the experience just as much as the Kung Fu Necktie crowd was. From the moment she hit the stage, she connected with the audience, singing directly to people who knew her lyrics and offering up pithy anecdotes.
“This song was on a podcast,” she said, before launching into friendship breakup anthem “The Carpenter.” Much of the crowd was familiar with this reference, if their knowing guffaws were any indication. Last year, the subject of this stirring tune had called in to Miles Bonsignore’s Perfect Person advice podcast – and framed the fallout in a way that rang wildly untrue in Madhavi’s book. So, Miles had decided to give Madhavi the chance to offer her two cents with a special guest performance of “The Carpenter” at the podcast tour’s stop in Brooklyn, New York.
Drag me through the mud
Hold me for the weekend
Lose what you love
Just so you can keep him
Another highlight was the performance of recent release “Past Life,” the optimistic conclusion to the night. The crowd rushed closer to the stage upon the opening notes, dancing and singing along. When the song ended, there were chants for an encore (which was unfortunately prevented by the venue’s curfew).
I wait on tables and red lights
And elevators and good times
…
Oh, I knew you in a past life
In a past life
Won’t let you pass me by
Valendina, the self-described “dab pen of pop punk,” kicked off the show. The four-piece came increasingly alive as their set went on, stepping back and forth from their microphones and playing their instruments at superhuman speed. They were also excited to plug their new song, “Ricky Bobby,” which was released just a few hours later.
Scxtty got the crowd singing with two covers: Kelly Clarkson’s “Since You Been Gone” and Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck Babe.” He also shared Madhavi’s affinity for offering up anecdotes about his original songs, one of which he admitted was about wanting his ex back. Madhavi referenced this proclamation during her own set, when she clarified with a pointed look in Scxtty’s direction – much to the crowd’s amusement – that one of her songs was not, in fact, about wanting her ex back.
Sometimes the gems of live music can be found right under your nose at your local bar. Keep an eye out for more shows from these three dynamic acts soon.
Loudspeaker Collective 