After a sublime first half of the evening, the rest of the night was gravy.

Ume made the whole evening worth it, so I returned to the El Moccambo for Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head and You Say Party! We Say Die! with no expectations.

Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head was already onstage. The much fuller El Mocambo was awash in sweaty bodies dancing double-time to songs like “Sophisticated Side Ponytail” and “Iceage Babeland.”

The onstage party featured members trading vocals and switching instruments whilst bopping around like aerobics instructors.

Such a high-energy performance is tough to follow. You Say Party! We Say Die! had their work cut out for them.

Becky Ninkovic, often compared to Karen O, led her band in an thoroughly engaging performance that never quite achieved the energy levels of Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head.

YSP! WSD! are forgiven, though. What they lacked in octane they more than made up for in charisma. Ninkovic’s voice filled the space, building moments upon moments of pro-positive energy and excitement. YSP! WSD!’s biggest victory is simply being the kind of band you can love loving.

There was one more stop to be made at the Silver Dollar for Japanese sensations: Zoobombs.

The Zoobombs are a raucous garage band powered by kinetic energy and a whole lot of amplification. Frontman Don Matsuo thrashed his way across the stage, pumping out enough sound to make you dizzy.

Generally a band with this much volume veers off into metal, but the Zoobombs have the kind of energy that screams aggressive psychedelic celebration, with songs ranging from acid-soaked comas to straight-ahead bruisers.

For those who missed it, this is merely the first of four shows the Zoobombs will play at NXNE.

On to night three: Matt & Kim and No Age!