crazybobbles

After oogling with the new lens I thought I’d start breaking into it, by going to an instore gig. I already knew about of Montreal playing at Rough Trade East, but was very worried that I wasn’t able to get passes to see them play. Last night I eventually said “sod it, I’ll just go and hope the best”. This meant a slightly early exit at work to queue up for wristbands to see them.

Setlist and their latest album "Skeletal Lamping"

For those who don’t know much about of Montreal I suggest you go listen to them. They’re a cool indie band from Athens, Georgia, their music is very experimental and fruity if I were to explain how it sounds like. Their latest album Skeletal Lamping (which was just out) in particular was quite a quirky album, filled with lots of mini songs in tracks and random bits and bobs.

Once at the store I realised that I probably overlooked the whole situation, noone was really about and the queue for tickets was fairly minimal. I wasn’t so aware of the fact that you can get wristbands if you simply purchase the album so I went ahead and bought it, I really love the CD cover, the vinyl is more epic (proper pop outs and all) but the CD was just as cool! I really love it when artists pay an awful amount of attention in packaging for the album, you feel more tempted to buy it like. The album folded out into a…. hmm, i’m sat here trying to work out what it is, it’s colourful no doubt but i can’t quite work out what it is, oh well, you have to buy it to find out :P. I was also given a bonus CD (which was neat too!).

Once we got our wristbands I sat around with a lovely ice latte and spoke to a person I met several times at a few gigs I’ve been to. We had a nice chat about gigs we went to and are going to and eventually we met up with more of his friends. The staff at the store eventually cleared everyone off at 6.45pm odd so that they can make room for the stage as well as let the band do some sound checks and what not, we waited around the outside (bbrrrr cold), talking about more gigs. At this point I realise that I really need a business card of some sort to hand out to people, it’s been the 5th time people want my url for my flickr photos and I had to write them up on scrappy pieces of paper. Time flew by pretty quickly and we were then let in to watch of Montreal live.

“Can’t help it if it’s true, don’t wanna be your man, just wanna play with you”

Used my old kit lens for this shot hehe

Word on the street was that they were going to do an acoustic set for tonights instore gig, that got me pretty exicted since you’ll most likely never see this done ever again (i hope so anyway, it makes this show special). Their album wasn’t really intended for an acoustic set but I like how they still found a way to perform it unplugged. Kevin Barnes (the singer) appears at the stage and introduces himself and starts playing pretty much straight away (Playing Triphallus, to punctuate!). Standing pretty much next to him meant the sound was all kinds of epic, I was surprised at the acoustics of an instore gig, you’d think it would be crappy but it worked!

Eventually the rest of the band appeared and began playing their “acoustic” set, I use the term lightly now since they do have synths and electric bass in the mix (but nonetheless two lovely acoustic guitars). It was a weird and exciting sound, when you hear the album you’ll think “how the hell?”. I suppose they found a way of transposing it into acoustic pieces. Id Engager was instantly recognises, as well as For our elegant Caste. Most of the tracks were from their latest album though so most people haven’t had the time to fully adjust to the album and all.

“We can do it softcore if you want”

Here’s a lovely video of them playing For our elegant Caste on my lovely Eve.

The Canon 28mm F1.8 usm lens really worked well in the gig, I was literally in front but I was still able to take some pretty decent wide shots, the f1.8 aperture worked like a charm and meant that I didn’t need to resort in using flash (some chick next to me kept abusing the shit out of her external flash and it blinded me a few times :(). Their last song Heindalsgate A Promethean Curse was fun! It was chirpy and acoustic at the same time, an outburst of twee erupted from the stage and even the bassist was swaying left and right smiling. It was a good but entertaining rendition and even Kevin Barnes had to chuckle a bit during the song. The song is still embedded in my head. The show was only 8 songs long but that was enough, the real gig will be at Koko (which I’ll be attending so yeah!). Hope you enjoy the photos!