Segunda-feira 12 Mar 2007, 23h:53
Mon 12 Mar – Explosions in the Sky, Eluvium
We got there when the doors opened and had a nice look around. For those who don't know, The Alcazar is a pretty odd (but interesting) venue. It's part of an old hotel and they renovated a lot of it. The bands actually perform at the bottom of what used to be a massive inside pool. It made for interesting acoustics - I'll talk about that later.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v326/pbvalla/DigitalExploits/Explosions/th_DSCF1697.png
So, anyway, first-up: Monitor.
They were quite good. Heavier than Explosions, but still a post-rock type of band. (All the bands were instrumental, by the way.) The drummer was pretty damn good and the guitarist was crazy into the music. All kinds of things I love to see for an opening band. I looked for their stuff where the merch was but didn't see any stuff for them.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v326/pbvalla/DigitalExploits/Explosions/th_DSCF1699.png
Next-up: Eluvium.
Matthew Cooper, you genius. Eluvium, really, is a one-man show. Cooper does the whole thing. He sits down the entire time, messing with various buttons and things, plays the piano sometimes, etc. He's more ambient than the other bands which was nice. I was expecting it so I wasn't disappointed. By the time he hit the stage, I had returned with my beer and half-way through his set I thought I might fall asleep… which is a definite compliment.
At one point, he was making this synthesized noise that was just bouncing off the walls and, like I mentioned before, the acoustics were crazy; I swear, when he did that (whatever it was), all I could feel were the vibrations and all I could hear was that noise.
When he started playing Prelude for Time Feelers, I thought I would die. It's my favorite song I've heard of his and really touches me. He played it flawlessly.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v326/pbvalla/DigitalExploits/Explosions/th_DSCF1702.png
Finally: Explosions in the Sky.
Poor guys. They had a marvelous introduction but then one of their amps crapped out on them. This started going on for a bit, so Cooper came in and played about two pieces on the piano which was pretty awesome. Nice way of calming down the crowd. ;-)
Once they got started, they were unforgettable. I've never seen a band get so into their music when they performed before. Michael James, bassist/guitarist, really stood out to me. At one point he had gone at his bass so intensely that he had it by the neck, pointing it up in the air, resting on his knee/leg, and the strap had come off - so he was the only one left to hold onto it until the song ended.
I can't remember all they played but I do remember the following songs:
- First Breath After Coma (I think they actually opened with this.)
- Your Hand In Mine
- The Only Moment We Were Alone (This has got to be one of the best closing songs EVER.)
I wish I could talk more about their setlist, but it's hard to distinguish between the songs, honestly. When there aren't any lyrics, I get confused, apparently.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v326/pbvalla/DigitalExploits/Explosions/th_DSCF1704.png
Overall, a great night out and a fantastic concert. All the bands put everything they had into their performances and it really showed. Go see these guys live, especially Explosions in the Sky, if you ever get a chance. They're headlining for a reason.