There was plenty to do in Atlanta on Saturday, April 18, with the Dogwood Festival, Sweetwater 420 Fest, Record Store Day, Atlanta Rollergirls bouts and various other events competing for attendees. But that didn’t keep a sold-out crowd away from Variety Playhouse, where The Faint and Ladytron co-headlined a night of electro rock.

Crocodiles opened the night with a brief set of Jesus and Mary Chain-inspired rock that was at times dark, yet still got the crowd moving. It seemed that most of the crowd was expecting The Faint to go on next, but Ladytron took the stage instead, offering the most energetic performance I’ve ever seen from the band. Sure, the music was still a bit melancholy and mopey, but the band seemed to be more into it than usual, playing crowd favorites such as “Ghosts” and “Destroy Everything You Touch.”

Backed by an impressive display of light panels, the band’s Switchblade Symphony-meets-ABBA goth pop was halted about halfway through its set when the sound went out, perhaps from the extra passion with which the songs were being played. But after a short break, Ladytron played on to the audience’s delight.

The Faint, with it’s somewhat dancier beats and punkier sound, followed with a set that spanned the band’s career, including songs from 1999’s Blank-Wave Arcade through last year’s Fasciinatiion. But no matter if it was an old song or a newer track, it seemed that nothing would stop most of the band’s fans from dancing until the end of the show. Like Ladytron, the Faint fed off the audience’s positive vibes, putting on an impressively energetic performance that sent the hipsters and goths home happy.

[mp3] Ladytron – Tomorrow (Vector Lovers Lucky Remix)