Los Campesinos! at Metro | Photos

The seven-piece Welsh indie pop band Los Campesinos! played a sold out show to giddy, dancing Chicagoans at Metro, Friday. In the style of a sugar-addled Arcade Fire, Los Campesinos! didn't have to encourage their fans to clap or sing-along to their manic and animated songs, such as "Romance Is Boring." The band's recent album Hello Sadness, released in November 2011 on the Wichita record label, was given three-and-a-half stars by Rolling Stone Magazine.

Formed in 2006, the band members got together at Cardiff University, in Wales, despite the fact that none of its members are Welsh. Chicagoans got the opportunity to hear lead vocalist Gareth Paisey sing of romantic frustrations for an 80-minute set, which included songs spanning their full discography, including their debut album, Hold On Now, Youngster, which was released in 2008. 

Four-piece Oregon-based experimental outfit Parenthetical Girls opened the show with a set that included a cover of The Smiths' "Handsome Devil" and projected visuals of Andy Warhol screen shots. Although the band hasn't released a full-length album in a while, a free Christmas EP titled Parenthetical Girls Save Christmas was made available for download in December. Exploiting the tension between formalist compostion and playful chaos, lead singer Zac Pennington caressed his microphone and danced with the audience for a 45-minute set which ended with their single "Stolen Children."

Following the show in Chicago, Los Campesinos! and Parenthetical Girls are headed to Denver for a show on January 31. From there they have quick tour around the West side of the U.S. before Los Campesinos! head overseas for a set of UK shows.