Two terrific nights at the indie opera
by Andrea Fineman
Managing Editor
Music | 3/6/07
Posted online at 10:58 PM EST on 3/5/07
/ Last updated at 9:01 PM EST on 3/5/07
BOSTON-Technical skill and energy are the two extremes of live performances. Often, one has to take a back seat to the other, resulting in either a rather cacophonous or a rather snoozy show. And while TV on the Radio and The Thermals each embody one of those live virtues, they both managed to keep the other within view during recent shows in the Boston area.
TV on the Radio, which performed at Avalon Friday night, is known for a very strong live show, and it did not disappoint. Lead singer Tunde Adebimpe's soul-influenced vocals and indie apotheosis Kyp Malone's falsetto synced perfectly with Dave Sitek's impressive guitar work. Sitek prowled around the stage with a set of windchimes hanging from the neck of his guitar while Adebimpe flailed on stage and Avalon's faculty for lighting effects was put to good use. The band started off with "Young Liars" from its first EP, and performed many songs from its newest album, Return to Cookie Mountain, as well as older favorites, to the sold-out crowd. Subtle, a decidedly '90s-style industrial rock band whose singer channeled both George Michael and Powerman 5000, opened with rap-like songs and ironically bad jokes.
Saturday night at T.T. the Bear's in Cambridge, The Thermals performed a much simpler set to a much smaller, sold-out crowd. The Thermals, not known for its technical prowess or musical complexity, raced through much from its three albums in just over an hour. Bassist Kathy Foster maintained a head-banging stance throughout the performance, and singer and guitarist Hutch Harris jumped and writhed while yelling lyrics to an audience, much of which yelled along while participating in a sort of quasi-mosh pit (A pogo pit, perhaps?). Much crowd-surfing occurred, both by audience members and the second guitarist, Joel Burrows. Although the performance was sufficiently raucous, Harris impressively yelled on pitch, and the guitar and bass work adhered to their simple rhythmic guidelines.
Both bands lived up to expectations, and although I concede that TV on the Radio's music is much richer and more complex both on record and live, I found Avalon much too big a venue to fully appreciate the band. The Thermals' show, in T.T.'s small, dark space-it's not much larger than Cholmondeley's-allowed a more enthusiastic audience to enjoy the energetic show.
TV on the Radio, which performed at Avalon Friday night, is known for a very strong live show, and it did not disappoint. Lead singer Tunde Adebimpe's soul-influenced vocals and indie apotheosis Kyp Malone's falsetto synced perfectly with Dave Sitek's impressive guitar work. Sitek prowled around the stage with a set of windchimes hanging from the neck of his guitar while Adebimpe flailed on stage and Avalon's faculty for lighting effects was put to good use. The band started off with "Young Liars" from its first EP, and performed many songs from its newest album, Return to Cookie Mountain, as well as older favorites, to the sold-out crowd. Subtle, a decidedly '90s-style industrial rock band whose singer channeled both George Michael and Powerman 5000, opened with rap-like songs and ironically bad jokes.
Saturday night at T.T. the Bear's in Cambridge, The Thermals performed a much simpler set to a much smaller, sold-out crowd. The Thermals, not known for its technical prowess or musical complexity, raced through much from its three albums in just over an hour. Bassist Kathy Foster maintained a head-banging stance throughout the performance, and singer and guitarist Hutch Harris jumped and writhed while yelling lyrics to an audience, much of which yelled along while participating in a sort of quasi-mosh pit (A pogo pit, perhaps?). Much crowd-surfing occurred, both by audience members and the second guitarist, Joel Burrows. Although the performance was sufficiently raucous, Harris impressively yelled on pitch, and the guitar and bass work adhered to their simple rhythmic guidelines.
Both bands lived up to expectations, and although I concede that TV on the Radio's music is much richer and more complex both on record and live, I found Avalon much too big a venue to fully appreciate the band. The Thermals' show, in T.T.'s small, dark space-it's not much larger than Cholmondeley's-allowed a more enthusiastic audience to enjoy the energetic show.
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