The stage glowed purple as fans awaited the arrival of Blonde Redhead Tuesday night. Atmospheric music played to set the tone and fans kept their chatter to a low rumble as the band set up.
Flickering light bulbs soon partially illuminated the stage, emitting just enough light for the silhouettes of Kazu Makino (vocals/keyboard), and twin brothers Simone (drums) and Amedeo (guitar/vocals) to appear.
Makino, wearing a strange white mask similar to that of a horse’s head, struck the first few chords of “Black Guitar” from their new album Penny Sparkle. The light bulbs faded and were replaced by blue and purple floodlights, emphasizing the dark heaviness of the song.
As the concert progressed, Makino removed her mask and the songs became more upbeat, luring fans into the band’s melodic trance. Playing a very balanced mix of songs from both old album, 23, and Penny Sparkle, released in early September of this year, Blonde Redhead allowed both old and new fans to dance along in a head bobbing daze.
Makino’s voice has a very haunting component to it, and when placed with Simone’s deep drumbeats and harmonized with Amedo’s tranquil vocal’s, a strange ambiance overtakes the room. The lyrics, hard to make out over the roar of the synth and the thudding of bass, proved to be only a slight hindrance of the show. The aesthetics of Blonde Redhead’s stage performance are what really drives their live show and truly entices fans. No one really sang throughout their performance, it was much more about being in the moment and letting the band’s profound beats and skewed vocals take you on a melodic journey.
A certain darkness permeates from the band’s slower songs while lifted major chords and fast paced vocals embodies the quicker ones. Blonde Redhead, unlike many bands I’ve seen live, was able to push through their slow songs while maintaining the same energy fashioned in the faster ones. The show lacked any “downer” moments and preserved a sexy mood throughout the entirety of the performance despite the band’s aging members.
Blonde Redhead is scheduled to finish off the U.S. part of their tour December 1 in Austin where they will then travel to Australia. With Penny Sparkle being their first new album in three years, the band is hard to catch on tour and anyone who has the opportunity to see them live should most definitely take it.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Stars Light Up Granada
The lights dimmed, the crowd silenced, and Torquil Campbell’s (vocalist) silhouette took the stage, melodica in hand. Soon after the first few chords were struck, the stage became illuminated with intricate light schemes; effectively setting the scene for the atmospheric voices of both Campbell and Amy Millan.
Despite Millan’s newly announced pregnancy, the duo fashioned an energy that filled the room and lured some band members into the lively crowd. Playing an evenhanded mix of songs from both new and old albums, the mood remained upbeat and Stars ornamented the audience with their iconic long-stemmed, white roses; sporadically throwing handfuls of pedals into the crowd.
Despite Millan’s newly announced pregnancy, the duo fashioned an energy that filled the room and lured some band members into the lively crowd. Playing an evenhanded mix of songs from both new and old albums, the mood remained upbeat and Stars ornamented the audience with their iconic long-stemmed, white roses; sporadically throwing handfuls of pedals into the crowd.
Halfway through their set of heavy melodies and profound lyrics the lights dimmed except this time, Torquil Campbell exited. A French horn and trombone replaced the previous sounds of the synth and hard drumbeats and the lyrics took on a euphoric persona as Amy Millan began a solo show complete with a bubble machine. Millan’s nuanced voice and supporting classical instrumentals cast a tranquil blanket over the audience that lasted for the brevity of time she remained alone. Her second half soon rejoined her where, together, they belted out the last few songs; Campbell banging on his synth and Millan jamming out on her electric guitar.
I must say, with the release of their new album in late June of 2010, I became skeptical as to whether the band would be able to hold on to their unique sound much longer. Though a hit among most, The Five Ghosts & The Séance, takes listeners on an alarming trip into pop influenced choruses and predictable turns in melody; greatly differing from both Set yourself on Fire and In Our Bedroom After the War.
However, following last night’s show, Stars proved that they are capable of holding on to their distinguished sound regardless of the track or album. Each performed song is given its own vocal component that only Campbell and Millan could possibly pull off; keeping a stronghold on their ability to distinguish themselves from the mainstream.
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