Opening the show was Xyouloris White. Featuring lute player George Xyouloris and drummer Jim White (Dirty Three), this duo were an absolute pleasure to watch. This was a jam session as much as it was an organized set. At times it felt as though a song were trailing off into a dead end or that a sense of worry had befallen one or both of the musicians. This feeling was quickly cast aside as one of them would take the lead and blaze off into a new direction that would invariably dispel any doubts as to their virtuosity.
Watching these two play together I got the sense that they were truly happy. They were playing off of each other, pushing each other, laughing together as well as at each other.
The music that came from their combined talents really defies labelling. Xyouloris’ traditional Greek rhythms combined with White’s absolutely unique style behind the drums made for one of the most interesting sounds I’ve had the pleasure of hearing in a long time. These two exuded a love of their craft and a mutual respect that lifted their music to great heights. I was amazed.
Swans – yes they were loud. Yes, they were very loud. Lets just get that out of the way from the outset. It seems to be the principal topic when anyone mentions seeing Swans in concert. They were loud. Louder than hell. Louder even than Motörhead for the rockers out there who may not have any idea who Swans are and what it is that they do.
About forty minutes into the set I noticed two young men standing beside me grimacing with their fingers firmly planted in their ears. Like many concert photographers I carry back up earplugs. Feeling my fatherly instincts take over (and the foggy memories of having my head blown off by DOA in the 90’s) I offered my spares to one of the guys. He responded by thanking me profusely and then asking if I had any more as his friend beside him had what may have been brain matter leaking out of his ears. I was out of hot pink foam earplugs but I offered up a cocktail napkin that he promptly tore up and jammed into his skull. Like I said, loud.
Once the topic of volume is touched upon it seems that most people jump right into frontman Michael Gira’s proclivity for physically assaulting members of the audience. There were no such incidents this evening (although I didn’t see anyone headbanging, that may have been a different story. Look it up.). It seemed that Gira was happy to let the music lead the assault.
This band certainly does not need the threat of physical violence to lend the music any added intensity. There was a palpable tension in the air from the moment they took to the stage, one member at a time, each building upon the powerful layers set down by the previous musician. It was a hell of an opening. In interviews for this tour Gira had said that the setlist would not change from one show to the next but that the band would allow the pieces to take the music in different directions. Not only does this keep the material fresh each night but it also allowed us glimpses into some truly stunning and inspired collaborative musicianship.
The fact that the only person who actually moves at all on stage is Gira does not take away from the performance at all. If anything it adds to the intensity of the monolith that is the music. The sense of impending physical danger is real as you feel the music pound into you. Intensity is not something this band lacks.
Swans are a truly remarkable group and need to be seen in concert. It is an experience I will not soon forget. I see a lot of shows and this one is definitely going to stick, and not just because my ears were ringing the following day in spite of having worn plugs.
Setlist
Frankie M
A Little God In My Hands
The Cloud of Unknowing
Just a Little Boy (For Chester Burnett)
I Forget
Bring the Sun / Black Hole Man
Review & photos – Jason Hughes
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