P.P.T. got cheated last night. The three Dallas rappers Picnic, Pikahsso and Tahiti busted out new songs –- never performed live before –- and old favorites, offered hilarious stage banter and were bouncing all over the place getting the crowd moving. So, how did they get screwed? Well, mostly the venue. Those of you who haven't hit up Wave: it's a long corridor with a small stage at the end, and upstairs is another stage fashioned similarly.
The P.P.T. guys kept having to ask the sound guy to turn up the music, as the sound of the band playing upstairs kept filtering down into the lower space. The group was stuck with only around 20 people crowded up by the stage (mostly ladies... heyyyy!). Another 40 were sitting back near the bar, but no matter how impressive the rap group was -- and they were on-fucking-point –- the mostly middle-aged crowd back at the bar wouldn't move up to the stage.
Picnic killed the music after the first song to try and coax more enthusiasm out of the crowd, explaining that P.P.T. was just starting and the energy was only going to have to step up from there. The fans up close happily obliged with hands in the air, chanting “P.P.T.” and jumping. I caught the folk back at the bar singing along when the trio busted out with some '80s tunes –- including throwing down a few lines of A-Ha's “Take On Me.” (Yes, you read that right.)
Despite the sound drama, P.P.T. put on a stellar show and it was a treat to get to see songs from the new disc performed live. It always helps when the artists are excited about doing something new. -- Chelsea Ide
