Post by Zapp Brannigan on Mar 25, 2011 3:06:38 GMT -5
lifessweetbreath.com/features/10-crystal-castles-live-in-new-york-city.html
What. A. Night. For those unable to attend the Crystal Castles performance on Friday night, let me regale you with everything you missed. Terminal 5, nor the patrons who occupied it, could have foreseen the spectacle that Alice Glass and Ethan Kath would provide with their dazzling display of suffocating electronic music. Known for the uprisings that coincide with each Crystal Castles performance, Glass and Kath reassured their fans that even when waiting an inordinate amount of time for their arrival, they’re going to (expletive) bring it!
After the crowd impatiently waited through two underappreciated sets by a local house DJ and electronic pop newcomers Teengirl Fantasy- who were riveting- many unsatisfied customers began to hit the bar, hoping to drown their infuriation with some top shelf booze. It wasn’t that Crystal Castles was making them mad, they were just ruining the entire evening for many loyal fans! The clock kept ticking and anticipation turned into frustration. Throughout the bewildered audience many fans begged the questions, “Where are they? And what the hell are they doing?” Recommendations to just hit the dance floor and soak up the energy offered in the gradually forming dance pit were dismissed. Rather, many hungry fans began to incessantly chant “WE WANT CRYSTAL CASTLES!” Shifting the already temperamental fan base into a cluster of mosh-ready, electronic-loving addicts who wanted their fix of the Castles.
Finally, we received answers. Though much to our dismay, Glass- lead singer- had broken her ankle just days before the show. If this was a ploy to add fuel to the fire, it succeeded within seconds of its conception. Crystal Castles’ manager, after seemingly mocking the crowd with this adverse news, began to shift his inflection to a more upbeat and optimistic tone. “Folks, I know you are all mad as hell, but even though Alice has a broken ankle, she would love for you to know she’s here and ready to go.” This statement was the cue for unleashing utter madness in Terminal 5.
Then out came Alice and Ethan. Alice in her eccentric getup that so signifies her resentment for anything ordinary and Ethan in his typical attire- tight jeans, coupled with a grey hoody and an uncanny ability to look cool without giving a…well you know what. As they took the stage you could feel the place let out one collective gasp of breath. The long wait was now over, we could breathe, and it was time to dance.
“Fainting Spells” was bona fide ear candy as it commenced the show and produced a scene evocative of a 1980’s dance club with a 21st century attitude. “New rave,” is how one appreciative fan described the band’s music. “It’s a blend of innovative 80’s electronic music with an anarchic sense of rage and commotion.” What’s specifically impressive about the versatility of Crystal Castles’ music is the singular reaction the crowd responds with. Even after waiting two grueling hours before seeing a glimpse of the band, the fans jumped up in rejoice as if life had granted them one final day to experience a live show. This genuine love for the band was no better represented then when the second song hit our ears, “Baptism.” Perhaps the most dynamic of any Castles song, it ignited the fans and reminded us why the wait was so worth it. While on one side of the venue you had your characteristic dance/ mosh pit, the other portion of Terminal 5 was occupied by those who needed space when pumping out their feverish dance moves to the Castles vehement music. The entire place was in utter jubilation. “Baptism” was an asphyxiating revelation for those who didn’t realize what they got themselves into when purchasing Crystal Castles tickets.
All around were fans from England, Germany, and even as far as Albania. All of whom came to see this Toronto-based electronic duo display some ethereal talents with unforgettable beats. Pumping through their songs “Courtship Dating,” “Crimewave,” and “Empathy,” with unprecedented energy, Glass and Kath played off of each other’s vigor like seasoned vets. Someone unfamiliar with their work that came just to catch a glimpse of some new, interesting music reveled in their esoteric sound describing it as the best thing he’s heard since early Hot Chip. The dynamics of a Crystal Castles show were at their finest, a monolithic sounding bad with an avid fan base drunk on its music.
Composing the crowd a bit with their blissful jam “Air War,” we were all able to grab a drink, for at least a moment. It was one of the few instances in the evening where a calm, collected groove could be implemented into the usual swiftly-paced dance rhythm that hadn’t ceased since the first song. Seemingly forgetting, or ignoring the state of her ankle, Glass continued to make her lively leaps into the audience where she was met by able and willing fans with their hands at the ready to support her daunting crowd surfs.
The one critique many felt should be addressed was the scratchiness in Glass’s vocals. However, isn’t that what makes Crystal Castles who they are? Isn’t their identity one of an introspective beat-maker and a chaotic front woman who uses those shrilling vocals to complement the lo-fi melancholic productions? Indeed it is, so when attending Crystal Castles shows prepare yourself not for a romantic croon, or a benevolent crowd, but a whirlwind of drums, glitches, and fury. The sheer force of this show was inescapable; their sounds pierced your skull and were embedded deep inside your head, reassuring you that this was as unique of an experience as they come. Their shows touch on a nuanced territory of electronic music no artists have dared to explore. Within their despondent sounds came an outbreak of exceptional dance beats that the audience couldn’t get enough of. Rounding out the night with “Celestica,” “Suffocation,” and “Untrust Us,” the exhausted yet thrilled crowd begged for more. When’s the next tour Crystal Castles? We want you back in New York!
The evening encompassed blow after body blow of insistent songs that never lost their pace or tempo. They have certainly elevated their status as artists and given birth to a new era of electronic dance music. Placing themselves in a genre of their own, Crystal Castles left the crowd enamored and in awe of their performance. Suffice it to say, if you endured those two hours of brutal anticipation, they didn’t let you down.
Crystal Castles can be seen at upcoming festivals Ultra and Coachella. They have also given reason to believe they will be attending Lollapalooza in August. Catch em’ while you can people, it’s worth every penny.
-Conor Febos, March 24, 2011
What. A. Night. For those unable to attend the Crystal Castles performance on Friday night, let me regale you with everything you missed. Terminal 5, nor the patrons who occupied it, could have foreseen the spectacle that Alice Glass and Ethan Kath would provide with their dazzling display of suffocating electronic music. Known for the uprisings that coincide with each Crystal Castles performance, Glass and Kath reassured their fans that even when waiting an inordinate amount of time for their arrival, they’re going to (expletive) bring it!
After the crowd impatiently waited through two underappreciated sets by a local house DJ and electronic pop newcomers Teengirl Fantasy- who were riveting- many unsatisfied customers began to hit the bar, hoping to drown their infuriation with some top shelf booze. It wasn’t that Crystal Castles was making them mad, they were just ruining the entire evening for many loyal fans! The clock kept ticking and anticipation turned into frustration. Throughout the bewildered audience many fans begged the questions, “Where are they? And what the hell are they doing?” Recommendations to just hit the dance floor and soak up the energy offered in the gradually forming dance pit were dismissed. Rather, many hungry fans began to incessantly chant “WE WANT CRYSTAL CASTLES!” Shifting the already temperamental fan base into a cluster of mosh-ready, electronic-loving addicts who wanted their fix of the Castles.
Finally, we received answers. Though much to our dismay, Glass- lead singer- had broken her ankle just days before the show. If this was a ploy to add fuel to the fire, it succeeded within seconds of its conception. Crystal Castles’ manager, after seemingly mocking the crowd with this adverse news, began to shift his inflection to a more upbeat and optimistic tone. “Folks, I know you are all mad as hell, but even though Alice has a broken ankle, she would love for you to know she’s here and ready to go.” This statement was the cue for unleashing utter madness in Terminal 5.
Then out came Alice and Ethan. Alice in her eccentric getup that so signifies her resentment for anything ordinary and Ethan in his typical attire- tight jeans, coupled with a grey hoody and an uncanny ability to look cool without giving a…well you know what. As they took the stage you could feel the place let out one collective gasp of breath. The long wait was now over, we could breathe, and it was time to dance.
“Fainting Spells” was bona fide ear candy as it commenced the show and produced a scene evocative of a 1980’s dance club with a 21st century attitude. “New rave,” is how one appreciative fan described the band’s music. “It’s a blend of innovative 80’s electronic music with an anarchic sense of rage and commotion.” What’s specifically impressive about the versatility of Crystal Castles’ music is the singular reaction the crowd responds with. Even after waiting two grueling hours before seeing a glimpse of the band, the fans jumped up in rejoice as if life had granted them one final day to experience a live show. This genuine love for the band was no better represented then when the second song hit our ears, “Baptism.” Perhaps the most dynamic of any Castles song, it ignited the fans and reminded us why the wait was so worth it. While on one side of the venue you had your characteristic dance/ mosh pit, the other portion of Terminal 5 was occupied by those who needed space when pumping out their feverish dance moves to the Castles vehement music. The entire place was in utter jubilation. “Baptism” was an asphyxiating revelation for those who didn’t realize what they got themselves into when purchasing Crystal Castles tickets.
All around were fans from England, Germany, and even as far as Albania. All of whom came to see this Toronto-based electronic duo display some ethereal talents with unforgettable beats. Pumping through their songs “Courtship Dating,” “Crimewave,” and “Empathy,” with unprecedented energy, Glass and Kath played off of each other’s vigor like seasoned vets. Someone unfamiliar with their work that came just to catch a glimpse of some new, interesting music reveled in their esoteric sound describing it as the best thing he’s heard since early Hot Chip. The dynamics of a Crystal Castles show were at their finest, a monolithic sounding bad with an avid fan base drunk on its music.
Composing the crowd a bit with their blissful jam “Air War,” we were all able to grab a drink, for at least a moment. It was one of the few instances in the evening where a calm, collected groove could be implemented into the usual swiftly-paced dance rhythm that hadn’t ceased since the first song. Seemingly forgetting, or ignoring the state of her ankle, Glass continued to make her lively leaps into the audience where she was met by able and willing fans with their hands at the ready to support her daunting crowd surfs.
The one critique many felt should be addressed was the scratchiness in Glass’s vocals. However, isn’t that what makes Crystal Castles who they are? Isn’t their identity one of an introspective beat-maker and a chaotic front woman who uses those shrilling vocals to complement the lo-fi melancholic productions? Indeed it is, so when attending Crystal Castles shows prepare yourself not for a romantic croon, or a benevolent crowd, but a whirlwind of drums, glitches, and fury. The sheer force of this show was inescapable; their sounds pierced your skull and were embedded deep inside your head, reassuring you that this was as unique of an experience as they come. Their shows touch on a nuanced territory of electronic music no artists have dared to explore. Within their despondent sounds came an outbreak of exceptional dance beats that the audience couldn’t get enough of. Rounding out the night with “Celestica,” “Suffocation,” and “Untrust Us,” the exhausted yet thrilled crowd begged for more. When’s the next tour Crystal Castles? We want you back in New York!
The evening encompassed blow after body blow of insistent songs that never lost their pace or tempo. They have certainly elevated their status as artists and given birth to a new era of electronic dance music. Placing themselves in a genre of their own, Crystal Castles left the crowd enamored and in awe of their performance. Suffice it to say, if you endured those two hours of brutal anticipation, they didn’t let you down.
Crystal Castles can be seen at upcoming festivals Ultra and Coachella. They have also given reason to believe they will be attending Lollapalooza in August. Catch em’ while you can people, it’s worth every penny.
-Conor Febos, March 24, 2011