I got to the Masonic Temple in Fort Greene pretty early the evening of this show. I stupidly locked myself out of my apartment hours before the show, and while I was trying to take my time and be leisurely about getting over to the temple, I still arrived embarrassingly early. But that meant that I heard every last drop of music that was poured off the stage. Although Matt already described this venue for the first time in his review of the Band of Horses show, I feel like I should get to say something about it too, as its such a cool spot. The temple was built in 1909 and used to house 35 separate lodges. Its a big place, but the auditorium where the shows take place feels fairly intimate, perhaps it the fact that its a square with lower hanging balconies on three sides. Actually the balconies are the best part, led up to by an enormous T shaped double staircase the entire area provides fold down seating. Classy.
As Ecstatic Sunshine was starting, I made my way up to the balcony. Decided to take a seat right on the 50 yard line, and ended up getting two large earfuls of what this Ecstatic outfit was dishin’ out. Yikes. I like noise, I do, but this was over the top and way too loud for the pitches they were playing with. I am such an old woman, I dont wear ear plugs but I actually plugged my own ears for the last two songs of the set. Come on though, it was just the most elongated offensive notes, played way too loud for anyone to enjoy. Those crazy kids and their music.
Blood on the Wall came on and made up for everything. Okay, they totally do the Pixies-Pavement-Sonic Youth thing, but sometimes thats just what you need. Correct? This band that features a brother sister combo screeches, shouts and whispers and jumps all around. Although Id never seen Blood on the Wall live before nor do I own any of their albums, I did go through on itunes to see if I could pick out any of the numbers they played. Im pretty sure we heard Rize, Lightning Song and Mary Susan. I also found another song I know they didnt play but I love called Baby Likes to Holler. Although this band is from Brooklyn and has no visible tour dates, I do recommend keeping your eyes open for them. Its a good time. Also, their drummer Miggy Littleton was one of the 77 drummers for that Boredoms thing last summer. Hell yeees.
Then we had our headliner, Sunset Rubdown. I was never really a big Wolf Parade gal, so its sort of a mystery how I came to really get into Sunset Rubdown. I think it was maybe like two years ago I heard Stadiums and Shrines and it struck me as something completely sad and delicate and beautiful. I am such a girl. So I picked up the LP Shut up I am Dreaming, and it was equally as impressive. This was my first time seeing them live, and while there were more people than I would have expected populating the stage, it really sounded awesome. They turned the lights way down at Spencer Krugs behest bringing the scene to an intimate place. They played the set with intent and precision, making the live music almost identical to its the album sounds. Although the whole set came off nicely, obviously Stadiums and Shrines was going to be my favorite, and was.
The show ended just in time as one of my roommates had just gotten home and I was nearly out the door. Who wants to be wandering around after a good show like that anyways?
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