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drwexWe went to see VNV Nation last night. It was the best show I've seen in many years. They're touring extensively and if you miss the dates in your area, well, you're really missing something. (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
rednikki, I'm looking at you.)
I want to talk about this show on many levels, so skip or click as you wish...
Rock shows are supposed to be loud, but loudness isn't a virtue in itself. Most shows I attend I use earplugs both to prevent damage and to have any hope of hearing the singer, or particular instruments. Even acts that aren't particularly rock or loud seem to be amped well beyond the pain threshold.
VNV was loud. Make no mistake, it's music written to be played loud. When I listen on my headphones I jack the volume. Last night's sound mix managed to be loud without pain, without distortion, and without requiring me to wear earplugs, despite being fairly close to the stage.
I want loud in many of the shows I attend. Part of the experience is the whole-body sensation of air beating against my skin - the rhythm made solid. This show gave me that.
I was particularly desperate to hear Chrome, and Perpetual (edits of these tracks are on the Myspace page linked above). I got both and many more. They mixed new song with old favorites and their particular anthems. There are important differences between listening to a CD cut and a live performance of the same song. Too many bands just stand up and play their CDs at the audience. VNV did the sort of riffing and adapting that makes a live performance interesting and engaging.
Both VNV and the opener (And One, about which more below) had really good stage presences, interacting constantly with the audience. It was fun and lighthearted, with interstitial bits that bordered on stand-up comedy. The audience was totally engaged, with lots of people singing along, as well as cheering and screaming. Funny bits included the chick who wouldn't stop screaming, conversations about Lemmy and Motorhead segueing into discussions of the different pronunciations of "Celtic" by the Irish and Scots. Typical quote: "Enough with the linguistics, let's play some more music!"
I screamed till my teeth rattled. I chanted; I clapped; I stomped. And I moved. Axis was crowded. Packed, really. But there just wasn't any way for me to listen to this and not move. Who cares about being sick, tired, and lacking balance? When music like that fills me, I can't stay still. This is my church; this is where I heal my hurts. By the end of the first hour I felt euphoric.
I was really astonished to see how many people - all deep black, punk, shaved and spiked, chains and piercings and deep somber make-up - were cuddling, hugging, and smooching through the show. I suppose it's possible that others came (as I did) to the show with special loved ones for special occasions. But I think it's something about the music. VNV do music that is heartfelt, anthemic, and that seemed to resonate with a lot of the audience.
The opener was And One, a German techno-pop group that seem to have been around for a while, but were new to me. Their music fit the evening's mood quite well; they were energetic and got the audience revved up. Their lead singer was quite the cutie and connected with the audience. Even though half their songs were in German they still did a great job of getting their message across and got a good response from the fans. The music is very much "Depeche Mode for this decade" and they did a couple of covers as well as their own stuff.
Thanks to the people who came with us and who helped make this happen. What an amazing night.
rednikki, I'm looking at you.)I want to talk about this show on many levels, so skip or click as you wish...
Rock shows are supposed to be loud, but loudness isn't a virtue in itself. Most shows I attend I use earplugs both to prevent damage and to have any hope of hearing the singer, or particular instruments. Even acts that aren't particularly rock or loud seem to be amped well beyond the pain threshold.
VNV was loud. Make no mistake, it's music written to be played loud. When I listen on my headphones I jack the volume. Last night's sound mix managed to be loud without pain, without distortion, and without requiring me to wear earplugs, despite being fairly close to the stage.
I want loud in many of the shows I attend. Part of the experience is the whole-body sensation of air beating against my skin - the rhythm made solid. This show gave me that.
I was particularly desperate to hear Chrome, and Perpetual (edits of these tracks are on the Myspace page linked above). I got both and many more. They mixed new song with old favorites and their particular anthems. There are important differences between listening to a CD cut and a live performance of the same song. Too many bands just stand up and play their CDs at the audience. VNV did the sort of riffing and adapting that makes a live performance interesting and engaging.
Both VNV and the opener (And One, about which more below) had really good stage presences, interacting constantly with the audience. It was fun and lighthearted, with interstitial bits that bordered on stand-up comedy. The audience was totally engaged, with lots of people singing along, as well as cheering and screaming. Funny bits included the chick who wouldn't stop screaming, conversations about Lemmy and Motorhead segueing into discussions of the different pronunciations of "Celtic" by the Irish and Scots. Typical quote: "Enough with the linguistics, let's play some more music!"
I screamed till my teeth rattled. I chanted; I clapped; I stomped. And I moved. Axis was crowded. Packed, really. But there just wasn't any way for me to listen to this and not move. Who cares about being sick, tired, and lacking balance? When music like that fills me, I can't stay still. This is my church; this is where I heal my hurts. By the end of the first hour I felt euphoric.
I was really astonished to see how many people - all deep black, punk, shaved and spiked, chains and piercings and deep somber make-up - were cuddling, hugging, and smooching through the show. I suppose it's possible that others came (as I did) to the show with special loved ones for special occasions. But I think it's something about the music. VNV do music that is heartfelt, anthemic, and that seemed to resonate with a lot of the audience.
The opener was And One, a German techno-pop group that seem to have been around for a while, but were new to me. Their music fit the evening's mood quite well; they were energetic and got the audience revved up. Their lead singer was quite the cutie and connected with the audience. Even though half their songs were in German they still did a great job of getting their message across and got a good response from the fans. The music is very much "Depeche Mode for this decade" and they did a couple of covers as well as their own stuff.
Thanks to the people who came with us and who helped make this happen. What an amazing night.
