November 15, 2009

My heart is filled with songs of forever.

(November 15, 2009 Pittsburgh, PA - Club Diesel)

I've only been able to say a band is so good live that I'll never miss them when they come through about a few bands. The first band that ever earned that honor from me was Thrice. The first time I saw Thrice was on Brand New's Fall Tour of 2007, and they were very good. Then they came back in the spring of 2008 with Circa Survive as direct support. Circa was my favorite band at the time, but Thrice was much more impressive. Still, on both occasions I was going to see other bands, with Thrice being a secondary interest. This time was different. Though I was familiar with both openers, and enjoy their music quite a bit, tonight was about Thrice.

The show started much earlier than I'm used to, likely because Club Diesel has a very strict band curfew, and I think it worked well in everyone's favor. Thrice has very dedicated fans, and thus the building was packed before the first band, Polar Bear Club, even began playing (although they did start a little late). I was pretty familiar with all of their material and was impressed with the very well mixed set list. Even though there weren't very many of us in attendance, I'm sure anyone who came to the show already a fan was pleased. More importantly though, the significantly larger percentage of attendees who was not familiar seemed rather impressed. Although the band would have been much more appropriate on a punk or hardcore bill, and the crowd's movement was mediocre, they were listening, and when I spoke with the band afterward, they seemed pleased, as was I. This supporting slot, though peculiar, will be good for PBC for as long as the crowds are respectful and open minded to something a little bit different than what they're used to.

set list:
Living Saints
Light of Local Eyes
Parked in the Parking Lot of Your Heart
Boxes
Bug Parade
Burned Out In a Jar
Olde Fisher Burial Ground
Our Ballads

Look, I've seen The Dear Hunter fives times now. They're beyond mind blowing each and every time. If they're in your city, just go. Consistently amazing. In fact, they've only gotten better progressively since I first saw them more than two years ago. I was incredibly happy that they played "1878," one of very few TDH songs that I had yet to see played live, and a personal favorite. Aside from that, just another consistent set. It was pretty clear that they won over a ton of new fans, too. In fact, the audience's collective amazement was audible. Definitely one of the best live acts on a consistent touring circuit. They will be near you within the next year. Make your way to a show and you'll understand.

set list:
Son (a Capella)
Mustard Gas
What It Means to Be Alone
The Church & The Dime
1878
Oracles on the Delphi Express (semi-a Capella)
Red Hands (reworked)
He Said He Had A Story

Thrice is in a similar boat as The Dear Hunter; I knew what I was getting into. As I mentioned before, this was my third time seeing them, and I had very high expectations, which were met quickly. Though the set was plagued with technical difficulties, mostly with lead guitarist Teppei Teranishi's rig, it was still quite enjoyable. It's unfair to compare Thrice to themselves, because this set was ten songs shorter than the last time I saw them headline. The fact is, it was one of the strongest headlining sets I've seen all year. Thrice's music runs the gamut, as far as dynamics go, and their live sets cover all the bases. Songs like "Silhouette" and "Hold Fast Hope" really get a crowd moving, and then "A Song for Milly Michaelson" or "Daedalus" can bring them right back to ground. The reworked full band version of "A Song for Milly Michaelson" was certainly the highlight of the set for me. I wish this is how it appeared on The Alchemy Index. Oh, and if Thrice's new album, Beggars, didn't satisfy you, the songs still hold their own mixed into a set with old favorites. It was unfortunate that the set had to be cut short, due to both the technical difficulties and the terrible venue, but I was quite happy nonetheless. After the set, I spoke with Dustin Kensrue, the band's primary songwriter and vocalist, and he was incredibly nice as well. Thrice creates a complete experience with their live shows. They incorporate excellent visual aspects, pristine sound, and they manage to keep the sets very personal, if only because so many of their songs strike a chord with so many people.

set list:
Of Dust and Nations
Silhouette
All the World Is Mad
The Weight
Helter Skelter (Beatles cover)
In Exile
A Song For Milly Michelson
Hold Fast Hope
The Artist In the Ambulance
The Melting Point of Wax
Daedalus
Like Moths to Flame
The Arsonist
Beggars

encore:
The Earth Will Shake

Thrice did something really cool that's new to me that I feel is worth noting - before their set their stage tech lit several incense sticks, and let them burn on the stage. It really made the atmosphere much more pleasant, something that's very welcome in a sweaty, crowded venue.