It has been more than three years since I last visited L’Olympia, and I don’t know why this venue is not used more often or maybe it just that the bands I want to see don’t play there. In any case, I got there, and the place was packed with more contemporary fans compared to the last couple of shows I have been to. The place was welcoming, and the view from the back of the crowd was very comfortable.
Due to personal time constraints, I was only able to make it for the main act, Interpol. Unfortunately for me, I heard that the opening band, Sunflower Bean, were excellent and got the crowd going.
The main act started just in time, and the band got on stage, Paul Bank, the singer, said a few words to the crowd and jumped straight into the first song, “Pioneer to the falls.” A great start and a great reminder of why they have such a loyal following and why they have been so influential in the last two decades.
Now, I must confess, it was my first time listening to Interpol live and the first time I heard more than 5 of their songs in a row, but I had heard great things about their live set as well some curious facts, such as them speeding up songs and not interacting much with the crowd, and that is why I decided to witness them this time around during their album-launch tour for Marauder.
The sounds that emanated from the stage, especially from Paul’s voice, reminded me so much of other great bands such as, R.E.M, Journal Division, Editors and Canada’s own Tragically Hip. They seem to be in the same vein of thought lyrics, great instrumentation and memorable vocals to sing along to.
The transition between songs, classic and new, lasted less than 20 seconds of palate cleansing interludes that gave just enough time for the chord-playing musicians to verify and make a quick tune-up of their instruments. That is how they got through 18 songs, a couple of comments and a 5-minute clapping-break before their encore.
In my opinion, their show had a hidden member of the band, the light operator (or programmer), the ambiance created by the disco balls, strong beams and LED-light poles enhanced the whole experience, making it easy to get lost in the music, move along to their songs and wait in anticipation for the next song. The lack of interaction is well worth it when you are hypnotized by such a great live production.
The first seconds of each song were quickly followed by woo-ing, and it is incredible to see how just three recognizable strums of the guitars can send so many people into such an anticipatory state of excitement.
By the last three songs, Lights, Evil and Obstacle 1, it was easily one of the most memorable shows I have seen this year, and the new songs from Marauder sound as Interpol as it can be.
Review – Ricardo D. Flores
Photos – Steve Gerrard
