Givers

After several days and countless bands, the one song I can't get out of my head is by Givers, a five-piece from Lafayette, Lousiana. "Ceiling of Plankton" has been knocking about up there to no end, and no other band I've seen has given me a song so catchy, energetic, and heartfelt to replace it. I should have known that I was in for something special; even as the first band playing the outdoor stage at the Paste Magazine day party, Givers drew a strong crowd away from the dual temptations of free beer and Basia Bulat's indoor set. Fronted by the equally charismatic Tif Lamson and Taylor Guarisco, Givers have a sound somewhere between Vampire Weekend and former tourmates, Dirty Projectors. Givers played with fire and energy—Lamson smiled and bounced on the drums and ukulele, while Guarisco jumped and flailed with his eyes rolling back into his head. But with all the energy and movement, Givers played with flawless execution. Their live show is not to be missed, but I imagine that if you check out a few of their recordings you will end up in the same predicament that I am in, with Givers on repeat in my head.