Concert Review: George Clanton and Neggy Gemmy

By Harriet Bernard

Music Journalist

The warm air is sticking to my skin and my hair, but I’m not bothered. It’s a beautiful Friday night in Texas. As my dear friends and I wait in line outside Mohawk, we talk about nonsense to pass the time. The clock ticks 8:04 p.m., and the line moves forward surprisingly fast. As we headed into the venue, the line to the merch table was already filling in. The five of us split off to go get drinks or check out the merchandise. Everything tempted me to make a purchase, but as I already had my “Clantonite” limited edition t-shirt on,

We moved up to the top level of the venue and secured our spot. The breeze felt nice all the way up there, and we were out of the stuffy crowd down below that was increasing by the minute. I see my sister walking toward the venue, my excitement rising as I spent the last week hyping up the show to her. We sit and babble until the music stops and pink lights flood the stage.

The talented and winsome Neggy Gemmy steps on stage as roars from the crowd follow. Lindsey French, FKA Negative Gemini and now known as Neggy Gemmy, is a southern-born electric pop artist who is the co-founder of independent record label 100% Electronica and wife of other co-founder George Clanton. Her bubbly energy immediately took over as she skipped up to the mic. At exactly 9:00 p.m., her set opens with the track “Daydream” off her 2023 album CBD Reiki Moonbeam. The peachy silk curtain background reminded me of Clairo’s stage dressing, and watching it change colors through the artificial fog was mesmerizing. Just a minute into the song, I’m hooked on her. Her outfit consisted of a light pink dress, very reminiscent of the iconic Carrie Bradshaw. To top it off, her hair was in a tight ponytail with a little black bow. 

The lights flow to blue, and “Beep Beep” begins, and suddenly French slips down into the crowd and continues to sing as fans jump around her. Next was her newest release, a single titled “Mysterious Girl.” This was a fan favorite as the crowd was singing along with her. The fog machine still going at it was essential to capturing her mystery. The following songs proved French to be an angelic vocalist, including “California” and “Black Ferrari.” She proceeded to bring out drummer Anya Good, as her “special guest.” French mentions how she lived in Texas briefly and is very fond of her experiences here. She ends the set with “You Weren’t Really There Anymore” off Bad Baby from 2018 with Anya’s fabulous drumming in the background. 

In between sets felt like eternity as we were all eager for the next act. By now it was packed, and more and more people squeezed in closer to the stage. At exactly 10:13 p.m. I just hear a roar from the crowd and look up to see George Clanton walk out in the dark as the song plays, with a black leather jacket and black shades on. He struts slowly, hands up, with Creed’s “Higher” blaring from the speakers, and all I could say is “holy aura.” There is a black screen behind him that turns on to reveal a pixelated “light” brite”-esque display. Anya comes back out to join him on the drums, and the intro of the first track off his 2018 album Slide, “Livin’ Loose,” begins. The screen shows flashing colors with an overlay of what looks like moving through space and stars; then the words “George Clanton” move in and out. The beat drops, and it takes me back to the first time I ever listened to the song, let alone it being the first George Clanton song I was introduced to. Not even past the first song, and he jumped into the crowd. I could follow his tennis ball hair as he made his way back to the stage. He proceeded to joke about the musical project, Homeshake, saying things like “There’s nobody I like more than Homeshake” and “Is Homeshake better than George Clanton? Nooo” in a very unserious tone. 

To transition into the next track, he says, “I’m George Clanton, I’m your daddy,” then proceeds to spam the airhorn button. At one moment a girl gets on stage and awkwardly walks around him to dive into the crowd. It felt like George Clanton doing stand-up comedy with some music on the side of the show. He poked fun at his die-hard, “boyfriend material” fans that have been front row at the other Texas shows. It would practically take an entire essay to describe all the graphics on the digital screen, which added so much to the show, along with the lasers and fog machine. My photographer and friend, Cole, popped in and out of our space to check in and take a break from being deep in the pit. He described the stench of pee and musk that exuded from it. Standing far up was the right decision.

Clanton stated that every show’s setlist has been different and an accumulation of songs from 8 different albums. Not only was it special to us, but in turn he made it special and unique for himself. “Make It Forever” had everyone singing along. The screen kept displaying the crying emoji over and over, which was insanely hilarious. After another shout-out to Anya, he announced the next song as “no one’s favorite song unless you’re on DMT.” “Aurora Summer” by George Clanton and Nick Hexum from 2020 reminded my sister of the game from our childhood, Geometry Dash.

He paused to talk about his first experience at Mohawk opening for Beach Fossils. The transformation from then to where he is now came through during Friday’s performance; it was cathartic. During the next song, “Punching Down,” Clanton’s team brings out two life-size Digimon blow-up dolls. He slammed the dolls on the front row and then threw them out in the crowd like beach balls. After one more crowd surf, the music stops, he thanks the crowd, and he walks off stage. The audience chanted, “One more song, one more song!” 

Of course, he grants our wish, and the lights and lasers come back on. From the newest collaboration album with TV Girl, “Summer 2000 Baby/Take A Trip” begins playing. We saw the most fog and lasers from the entire night in those last four minutes. A final goodbye, and he disappeared in the smoke. “Freedom! ‘90” by George Michael bled out of the venue as we made our exit. As we rounded the corner, there were the ingenious performers on their way to the green room. We took the chance and sang our praises only to be met with Clanton making an inappropriate hand gesture that I am not inclined to describe.