Live Review: The Constellations at The Drunken Unicorn in Atlanta

The Constellations, Wednesday, March 24, The Drunken Unicorn, Atlanta
by Jon Wolf

The Constellations

International ambassadors of Atlanta night life, The Constellations, made their homecoming Wednesday, March 24, at The Drunken Unicorn. The band is fresh off of their second SXSW appearance, opening for Virgin label-mate Snoop Dog, and touring the UK.

The band did not bring back any of the pretension you might imagine from their extensive high profile touring, in fact lead singer Elijah Jones was more enthusiastic and appreciative than ever.

The bass seems to have gained new life thanks to the stage presence of Wes Hoffman and his impressive beast of an Afro. And if rock bands can have hype men, keyboardist Jamie Gordon is a spastic ball of energy who alternates between his Ray Manzarek impression on the keys and punishing his tambourine for not rocking hard enough.

We did get a glimpse of how the band’s music has adjusted to life on a major label. Original album closer – piano ballad “On My Way Up” – has been transformed into an uptempo gospel rocker. The new version of the song, with a deep vocal call and response, comes across like a spiritual written for Urban Outfitters employees.

The only disappointment of the entire show was the fact the band was cut off from playing its crowd pleasing Atlanta scene name-dropper “Step Right Up” due to time constraints, despite the fact the band praised the venue the entire show for supporting them.

Just before this confusing anti-climactic ending, the band was still able to get in their future frat anthem “Felicia”, released last week to national radio.

And Jones confirmed that, yes, it is “a song about sucking dick.”

You’re welcome, radio.