Well, that was an unbelievably intense, loud, artistic, hypnotic, and fascinating performance. I’m so glad I had the chance to see Swans live.
The night opened with Little Annie & Paul Wallfisch, who drew everyone in with their soulful sounds and profound lyrics — a wonderful new discovery for me.
And then came Swans.
I first heard this band about fifteen years ago, thanks to my good friend Aaron Fraser, who was with me at the show, of course. Cheers, hermano.
They opened with “The End of Forgetting,” a magical piece that grew from a simple, repetitive melody into a chaotic storm of heavy rhythms.
Michael Gira, the band’s leader, pushed himself and his band to the physical and emotional limit — dancing, directing, and sculpting sound in a uniquely artistic way.
With “The Merge” and “Paradise Is Mine,” it’s clear how Swans have influenced artists like Shellac, Thom Yorke, and even Massive Attack — blending raw, mathematical precision with minimalist and hypnotic textures.
During “A Little God in My Hands,” Dana Schechter switched from keyboards to a second bass, driving the arrangements even harder — just wow.
I didn’t know what to expect from Swans, but in the end, it turned out to be one of my top ten live performances of all time.
Review – Andres Pedroza
Photos – Melih Nehir
