M'Lou Elkins
In 2018, Matt Katz-Bohen brought his multi-instrumentalist skills to a new project, formed with Peter Yanowitz and Michael C. Hall. Christened Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum by Katz-Bohen’s young daughter, the band achieved near-immediate popularity among a dedicated fan base. On March 20, the trio officially kicked off its 2022 tour, bringing what Icon vs Icon calls the band’s brand of exciting, eerie, mesmerized, and impassioned showmanship.
On Sunday, April 17th, Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum played to a sold-out crowd at The Secret Group in Houston. Fans lined up hours before show time on the hot, sun-drenched sidewalk in front of the venue in hopes of landing a coveted spot in front of the stage.
Kicking off the night’s set with “Vicious” and “Love American Style,” Hall seemed to have warmed up since playing earlier Pacific Coast dates, where some fans described the lead vocalist as a bit more reserved – one that didn’t fully own the stage or the crowd. In Houston, we didn’t have a problem. Sporting a black jumpsuit and illustrated Crocs that featured small butterflies, Hall seemed to be having a blast interacting with the crowd, with occasional spit takes, and enjoying the night’s synergy. The lights were set to red and sustained their steady glare for the entirety of the band’s set list.
The band itself is red hot. A pilgrimage of dedicated followers seem to think so – they have been flocking to multiple concert dates since March. Perhaps among these were a trio of “killer” fans who were on hand to pay their respects, dressed as Jason, Freddy, and Leatherface. Freddy had butterflies stuck in his blade hand and gave one to Hall, who dutifully pinned it to his black jumpsuit for the duration of the show. Another fan in the crowd yelled to Hall, “You sexy bitch!” He really is.
Included in the set were “Deeper Down,” “Eat and Eraser,” and “Sideways”. The band just released an interactive video for “Sideways”, off the 2021 album Thanks for Coming.
As they concluded their set, Hall seemed to prime the audience for a moment of Transcendentalism. “Everybody shut your eyes,” he said. In the moment, it seemed he might tranquilize us with some sort of meditative practice. “Imagine us walking off stage,” he continued, “then coming back on…. to play again.” Cheers erupted. We loved it.
With two final songs, “Armageddon Suite” and “Come Talk to Me,” Hall went out with a bang. He plucked a few mobile phones from the audience and filmed both himself and Yanowitz in action before returning them to their rightful (and thrilled) owners. Throughout, Hall’s vocals and range were on point. Impressive, all around.
Check out our concert photos from the Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum show below:
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