Darkside have announced they will be releasing a new album, Live at Spiral House, this Friday, June 9 via Matador. Following 2021’s Spiral, the record is a collection of jams Nicolás Jaar and Dave Harrington recorded with the group’s new member, drummer Tlacael Esparza, at their Los Angeles rehearsal space last summer.
“When we decided to get the band back together with Tlac, we knew we needed a space where we could explore what that meant,” Jaar said in a press release. “After a couple of months of rehearsals, we started inviting friends and family to the space and many of these recordings share the fun and cozy spirit of that time.”
Harrington added: “I probably played every Jerry Garcia riff I know in every key over the course of Spiral House. You’d be surprised how good China Cat Sunflower sounds on ‘Narrow Road’!”
Along with the announcement, Darkside have today shared a new short film about the making of the Live at Spiral House, documented by Jed DeMoss – the artist and photographer behind both of the group’s album covers – along with artist and videographer Will Carrà. Check it out below.
Brian Eno has announced his first-ever solo tour. He’s set to perform his new live concert program, Ships, across Europe this fall, with backing from the Baltic Sea Philharmonic, orchestrated and conducted by Kristjan Järvi, as well the actor Peter Serafinowicz, and Eno’s longtime collaborators Leo Abrahams and Peter Chilvers. The concert is billed as an orchestral adaptation of Eno’s 2016 album, The Ship, and will feature both new and classic compositions.
“The album The Ship is an unusual piece in that it uses voice but doesn’t particularly rely on the song form,” Eno said in a statement. “It’s an atmosphere with occasional characters drifting through it, characters lost in the vague space made by the music. There’s a sense of wartime in the background, and a sense of inevitability. There is also a sense of scale which suits an orchestra, and a sense of many people working together. I wanted an orchestra which played music the way I would like to play music: from the heart rather than just from the score. I wanted the players to be young and fresh and enthusiastic. When I first saw the Baltic Sea Philharmonic I found all that…and then noticed they were named after a sea. That sealed it!”
Eno’s last show was in 2021 at the Acropolis in Athens, where he performed with his brother Roger Eno. Last year, the composer returned with his first solo album in five years, FOREVERANDEVERNOMORE.
Brian Eno 2023 Tour Dates:
Oct 21 Venice, Italy – Venice Biennale Musica, Teatro la Fenice (3 and 8pm)
Oct 24 Berlin, Germany – Philharmonie Berlin
Oct 26 Paris, France – La Seine Musicale
Oct 28 Utrecht, Netherlands – TivoliVredenburg
Oct 30 London, England – Royal Festival Hall, Southbank (6:30 and 9pm)
Candy Claws have announced a reissue of their third and final studio album, Ceres & Calypso in the Deep Time, to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Previously only available on cassette via Flannelgraph Records, the LP is set for release on August 4 via Twosyllable. It t will be accompanied by a bonus CD featuring ‘Distortion Spear’, a brand new song from the original lineup of the band – Ryan Hover, K Hover, and Hank Bertholf – that marks their first new music in a decade.
“It wasn’t like we had nothing to lose, but at this point, we just felt like doing something a little more fun and exciting,” Hover reflected on the making of the album. “If it had all just gone into the ether, and been forgotten about, then we might have some regrets. But for some reason, there was just some spark on this one that people are still connecting with. It still feels like a really exciting thing to dive into.”
Ceres & Calypso In The Deep Time Cover Artwork:
Ceres & Calypso in the Deep Time Tracklist:
1. Into The Deep Time (One Sun)
2. White Seal (Shell & Spine)
3. Fell In Love (At The Water)
4. Pangaea Girls (Magic Feeling)
5. New Forest (Five Heads Of The Sun)
6. Transitional Bird (Clever Girl)
7. Charade (Fern Prairie)
8. Fallen Tree Bridge (Brave Rainbow Rider)
9. Birth Of The Flower (Seagreen)
10. Illusion (Fern Lake)
11. Night Ela (Mystic Thing)
12. Where I Found You (One Star)
Throughout the week, we update our Best New Songs playlist with the new releases that caught our attention the most, be it a single leading up to the release of an album or a newly unveiled deep cut. And each Monday, we round up the best new songs released over the past week (the eligibility period begins on Monday and ends Sunday night) in this best new music segment.
On this week’s list, we have Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem’s latest joint single, the woozy, infectiously silly ‘The Hillbillies’, which samples Bon Iver’s ‘PDLIF’ (and is a YouTube exclusive that’s not yet up on any streaming services); Palehound’s bracingly honest and self-reflective ‘My Evil’, lifted from the band’s upcoming album Eye on the Bat; Kristin Hersh’s hushed, unsettling new single ‘Dandelion’; and the catchy, thrilling lead single from Pip Blom’s next album, ‘Is This Love?’, which features Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand.
Peter Gabriel has released ‘Road to Joy’, the latest offering from his upcoming album i/o. The song was co-produced by Brian Eno and recorded at Real World Studios in Bath, the Beehive and British Grove in London, and High Seas Studios in Johannesburg, South Africa. It features the Soweto Gospel Choir, a string arrangement from John Metcalfe, and members of Gabriel’s touring band: bassist Tony Levin, guitarist David Rhodes, and drummer Manu Katché. Listen to ‘Road to Joy [Bright-Side Mix]’ below.
Speaking about the track ,Gabriel said in a statement:
I’m working on a project which is partly a story focused around the brain and how we perceive things and this song connects to that. It deals with near-death experience and locked-in syndrome situations where people are unable to communicate or to move. It’s an amazingly frustrating condition. There have been some great books and films about this subject, but at this point in our story the people looking after our hero manage to find a way to wake him up. So, it’s a lyric about coming back into your senses, back to life, back into the world.
The song is one of the last tracks to emerge for the i/o record, but it has some DNA from an earlier project; it was actually very late in the record that we got to this. There had been a song that musically I’d started, I think, around the OVO project called Pukka. It was very different to this, but it was actually the starting point for coming back to this song. I just felt there was a good groove there, and I wanted something else with rhythm and so we tried a few things when I was working with Brian Eno. The excitement and energy in the song was something that I was getting off on. I felt we didn’t have enough of that for this record.
Ethel CAin has shared a statement after collapsing halfway through her show at the Sydney Opera House on Saturday. Cain, performing as one of the headliners of the Vivid Live festival, fell backwards less than three songs into her set, according to News.com.au. Now, Cain has shared an update via an Instagram story, writing: “Hi everyone <3 So sorry I wasn’t able to finish the show last night but all this touring and traveling has finally caught up with me :/”
Cain continued: “am feeling better today though and am excited for the show tonight!! I promise I will make it up to those of you from last night whenever I can. Thank you
much sydney, love u all.”
Cain has been touring in support of debut album Preacher’s Daughter, which came out last year.
The weather forecast was not looking good on the last day of Primavera Sound Barcelona – there was a 100% chance of precipitation when I got to the Parc del Fórum – but in the end, a light drizzle did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm that had been buildingall week. It would be a shame, after so much great music, to have to miss performances by artists who have put out the best rock and pop albums of 2023 so far – Wednesday and Caroline Polachek, respectively – not to mention Rosalía’s eagerly anticipated headlining set. But everything went down as planned, all the way until the ecstatic late-night sets by Two Shell and Overmono (which, in a tough clash for electronic music fans, unfortunately overlapped, though both were palpably refreshing just hours after Calvin Harris took the main stage). Here, in chronological order, are five highlights from the night.
Wednesday Killing the Heat
Saturday was actually the chilliest, cloudiest day of the festival – a few drops of rain even came down right before Wednesday’s early evening set – so unless there’s proof they literally killed the heat for the sake of their uproarious music, that heading is admittedly misleading. I just wanted to make that reference. The show itself, however, was definitely killer. (Fine, I’ll stop now.) While their half-remembered visions of North Carolina suburbia might not resonate in the same way across the pond, the Asheville five-piece attracted what was their biggest crowd yet, “by a lot,” Karly Hartzman pointed out, a fact that gave their raucous performance a sort of delightful twist. I wondered what people who’d flocked over from virtuosic jazz duo DOMi & JD Beck’s set might have made of the band’s grimy, gothish, gut-wrenching guitar music, but I can’t imagine anyone witnessing a performance this loud and emotional and not getting their feelings stirred up.
In between songs, Hartzman drew attention to individual members of the audience – recognizing a couple that had once cooked them a “delicious meal,” complimenting a guy on his button-down My Bloody Valentine shirt, wondering if the person who walked up to her after the Unwound show that emotionally wrecked her the previous night was among them. “I just can’t help but make observations,” she said, fittingly, before launching into the Rat Saw God track ‘Quarry’. But her final remarks were more serious. I doubt any act who played the festival had the guts to say “Fuck Jeff Bezos” while up there on the Amazon Music stage – all this was being livestreamed on their freaking platform, mind you – but that’s exactly what Hartzman did, even dedicating the set-closing ‘Bull Believer’ to exploited Amazon workers. Let’s just say her shrieks of “Finish him!” took on a whole new resonance.
Arlo Parks Makes Us Feel Less Alone
In her first appearance at Primavera, Arlo Parks gave a performance that was at once tender and dynamic – an opportunity to showcase her music’s resonance in front of a large group of strangers rather than having to adapt to a festival setting. There was a comforting ease to her delivery that never undermined just the emotional weight of her songs, and the singer-songwriter took the opportunity to actually lean into it. She struck a good balance between new songs and older ones, which sounded a little more refreshing: ‘Caroline’ and ‘Hurt’ were punchier but just as evocative, while ‘Sophie’ was delivered “with a twist” – an explosive conclusion. Before ‘Black Dog’, Parks made clear her goal was for everyone going through a hard time to feel less alone, and the warmth of her message was palpable.
St. Vincent Esta En Casa
This isn’t another case of me trying to be creative with these headings: St. Vincent actually said “Papi esta en casa” among many other things in Spanish during her dazzling set at the Santander stage. If the rollout for Daddy’s Home left you more baffled than excited, it’s worth noting that Annie Clark only hinted at the narrative behind the record rather than building the entire performance around it. And even if you’re not the biggest fan of the music on the record, you would and should not pass up the chance to see such a singular performer, one whose vision feels both razor-sharp and wild. She performed the best songs from Daddy’s Home, including ‘Down’, ‘Pay Your Way in Pain’, and ‘The Melting of the Sun’, along with highlights from her back catalog – the ones from MASSEDUCTION were arguably the most electrifying, with ‘New York’ lending itself to a stirring singalong. The theatrics were there – nothing beats the guitar duels between Clark and Jason Falkner – but whenever she’d pound her hand on her chest, it served as a reminder of where this music, naturally more joyous live than on record, really comes from.
Welcome to Caroline Polachek’s Island
It’s remarkable, but not really a surprise, just how quickly the crowd erupted at the Caroline Polachek show. As the howl in ‘Welcome to My Island’ ushered us into the heady, ecstatic world of her new album Desire, I Want To Turn Into You, everyone out there with a less agile voice – so basically everyone except Polachek – had the chance to immediately engage by chanting “Hey, hey, hey, hey.” From there, even the deep cuts from the record received a response so rapturous it reminded me of Lorde’s set at the same festival last year – the only time I’ve really thought about the common ground between the two artists. At no point did Polachek’s expansive, exquisite delivery come at the cost of emotion, but that element of her music – call it melodrama – seeped further in as the show went on, particularly as she introduced the “heartbreak potion of this thing” with ‘Butterfly Net’. ‘So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings’ is the obvious crowd-pleaser to end this and any one of Polachek’s shows, but at Barcelona’s Primavera Sound – which she called her favorite festival – it’s the flamenco-indebted ‘Sunset’ that was the undisputed highlight. In the context of the album, Polachek singing “Let’s ride away” sounds like part of a fantastical escape, but here it felt more like an invitation to discover the hidden pleasures of the place we’d all collectively found ourselves in.
Rosalía’s Homecoming Show Is a Crowning Achievement
Credit: Sharon Lopez
When Rosalía last played Primavera in 2019, she was part of a group of innovative, critically acclaimed artists who mostly operated just to the left of the mainstream. Fast forward to 2023, and Rosalía is a worldwide phenomenon – not a single performer would be better suited to close out this year’s festival. Yet her spectacular headlining set felt less like a celebration of her ascent to stardom than the fact that she was back in the city of Barcelona, playing before a crowd that largely did speak Spanish instead of someplace where she’d transcended the language barrier. Whether or not you understood a word she said, you could tell being there meant the world, and it was a joy to watch the audience echo the sentiment.
Rosalía’s kaleidoscopic vision doesn’t break the boundaries between avant-garde and mass-appeal pop, innovation and tradition, so much as it renders them permeable – and why should she be forced to make a choice when it all draws the same fervent response? But her live show also proved this mindset extends beyond the music itself. Her performance was at once intimate (close-up shots beamed on the big screens almost the entire time) and loud; the minimal stage design elevated some magnificent choreography; both playfulness and vulnerability were enchantingly heightened in her interactions with the audience, particularly during the heartbreaking, sensual ‘Hentai’. Some might have been disappointed that fiancé Rauw Alejandro did not make an appearance, as he did at this year’s Coachella, to perform their songs ‘Beso’ and ‘Vampiros’, but Rosalía could go out there with nothing but her voice and the show would be deemed a success. More than that, though, this was a homecoming like no other.
Fashion needn’t be a forgotten element while shredding the slopes. Snowboarders no longer blend in with the snow thanks to the inclusion of bold colors and funky and fun patterned clothing and accessories. Sure, the day is all about jumps, tricks, and making an impression with the board, although doing it in style is much more exciting. When you’re looking to bring fashion onto the slopes, choose pieces like hiking boots and high-performance jackets made by Arc’teryx. The brand’s stylish pieces include the features and functionality needed for snowboarding success. Want to know how to dress for success while standing out in the snow? This blog post is for you!
Stand Out in the Snow
Gone are the days when snowboarders blended in with the snow due to lackluster, unflattering outerwear and footwear. Snowboarders nowadays prefer hitting the slopes wearing comfortable clothing douting bold colors and patterns that help them stand out in a crowd. This allows snowboarders to express their individuality while adding a layer of visibility which can be beneficial if there’s an accident or other mishap.
Every snowboarder should start their adventure wearing the following essentials:
Snowboard Pants -Waterproof, insulated pants
Base Layers -Thermal tops and bottoms
Snowboard Jacket -Choose a jacket specially designed for snowboarding to keep you protected from the elements
Mid-Layers -a softshell jacket or vest adds warmth
Boots -Study, supportive, food-fitting boots safeguard any snowboarding adventure
Socks -Specially designed outdoor socks provide thick, moisture-wicking features that cushion and protect the feet
Bindings – Bindings attach the boots to the snowboard
Helmet -A helmet designed to protect your head and create warmth is part of a well-equipped snowboarders outfit
Goggles – Googles protect the eyes from harmful UV rays
Gloves – A par of waterproof, insulated gloves protects hands from the elements and prevents problems like frostbite
Shirts, pants, and jackets come in loud colors like orange, pink, and green, and fun patterns like geometric circles and animal shapes. If you can imagine it, you can find clothing with the pattern. Snowboarders who wear clothing that reflects their style seem to embody the entire experience on the slopes.
Never be afraid to ‘go there,’ picking pieces that help you feel your best. As a phenomenal snowboarder, you deserve the extra toot of your horn. Never hesitate to experiment with any tool that may improve your tricks and jumps on the slopes, including your clothing.
As long as you’re equipped with the essentials from the list above, you are well-prepared for a snowboarding adventure and can easily adhere the pieces to your particular fashion style.
Dress for Snowboarding Success
Snowboarders cannot wear everyday pieces while skiing on the slopes. Climate and weather conditions won’t allow it, although pieces made specifically for outdoor activities like snowboarding can still provide a sense of fashion style while protecting outdoor enthusiasts.
Outdoor wear companies focus on creating and selling clothing designed to handle the rugged outdoors and associated conditions and elements. Always choose specialized pieces of clothing and outerwear for snowboarding adventures.
A few pointers that help snowboarders maintain fashion while protecting themselves from the elements:
Base layers: Base layers like t-shirts should made from moisture-wicking, breathable fabrics keep you dry and comfortable while on the slopes. Base layers should fit snugly but not so tight that moving around becomes difficult. Colorful and stylish base lawyers add a touch of fashion to your outfit.
Layering: Layering clothing when you’re snowboarding is important. Weather conditions and climate change throughout the day and without notice with adverse weather conditions occur. Always wear a fleece-lined or insulated snowboarding jacket (depending on the season) Remember, temperatures decrease at higher elevations. It may seem comfortable at level ground but that changes higher up.
The All-Important Snowboard Jacket: As mentioned, the snowboard jacket is one of the most important items boarders need during their outdoor excursions. The jacket provides warmth and can easily be removed so you do not overheat. Choose a lightweight, waterproof jacket that protects you from the elements. A jacket with taped seams prevents water seepage. You can find plenty of jackets with bold colors and unique patterns to help continue your snowboarding fashion style.
Accessorize Your Style: You can still accessorize your look while snowboarding by choosing a helmet that reflects your style or by adding personalized slogans, graphics, or stickers to your gear. Lenses with mirrored tints are especially popular in the world of outdoor sports.
Protect Your Hands: Protecting your hands is essential while outdoors in extreme weather conditions such as those associated with snowboarding. Frostbite can happen within minutes if hands are not protected. A good pair of gloves makes a tremendous difference in body temperature and reduces the odds of developing frostbite. Choose gloves that are waterproof, insulated, and offer a good grip. You’ll find a variety of gloves in patterns and unique textures to help complement your vibrant gear. Coordinate the items to look your very best.
Footwear: Protecting feet from the elements is important to snowboarding success. Specialized boots designed for the slopes provide support and comfort. Chosen carefully, boots can also coordinate with other pieces and help reflect your style. Prioritize your footwear, ensuring they properly fit and provide the utmost comfort.
Do not rush when searching for snowboard clothing that keeps you safe and meets your style. It is easy to buy the first pieces that come along and hope for the best, not taking into account that quality and style differ from one brand to the next. Take time to research brands and pieces to find those that inspire and protect you.
Final Thoughts
Fashion is important when gearing up for the slopes, although safety is always a top priority and should not be sacrificed for style. Remember, many pieces provide both protection and style. Look for such pieces and gear and ensure you look your best while protecting your safety any time you head out to the slopes.
Fashion has long been a realm of boundless creativity and imagination, where designers push the boundaries of conventional aesthetics and seek inspiration from unconventional sources. From the wild and untamed aspects of nature to the realms of pop culture, history, everyday objects, and even futuristic technology, the fashion industry has consistently surprised us with its ability to find beauty and inspiration in the most unexpected places.
This outline explores some of the weirdest ways that fashion designers have sought inspiration in the past. It delves into the fascinating and often bizarre sources that have influenced designers to create unique and unconventional fashion statements. These sources not only challenge traditional notions of beauty but also reflect the ever-evolving nature of fashion as an art form.
By examining these unconventional sources of inspiration, we gain insight into the creative processes and innovative thinking that drive the fashion industry forward. From the runway to the streets, these unusual inspirations have shaped and transformed the way we perceive and engage with fashion.
Nature and Animals: The Wild Side of Fashion
The natural world has always been a captivating source of inspiration for fashion designers, leading to some truly bizarre and extraordinary creations. One of the most peculiar ways in which nature has influenced fashion is through the incorporation of outlandish animal prints and patterns. From the timeless elegance of leopard spots to the striking allure of zebra stripes, these animal-inspired motifs have found their way onto garments, accessories, and even footwear, adding a touch of the wild to fashion ensembles.
In addition to prints and patterns, fashion designers have also embraced the use of unconventional materials sourced directly from nature. From feathers and fur to shells and even insects, these natural elements have been transformed into remarkable fashion pieces that blur the line between the organic and the fashionable. For instance, a daring designer might craft a stunning gown adorned with delicate butterfly wings or create an intricate handbag embellished with intricately arranged seashells. The utilization of such unexpected materials from the natural world adds an element of surprise and enchantment to fashion designs.
It is truly fascinating how fashion designers draw inspiration from the untamed beauty of nature to create designs that captivate the imagination. These unique creations not only celebrate the diversity and richness of the animal kingdom but also allow wearers to embrace their wild side with a touch of elegance and sophistication. If you’re intrigued by the mystical connection between fashion and nature, a spirit reading could provide valuable insights into the symbiotic relationship between these two worlds. To discover the best state to engage in an online psychic reading, check out this comprehensive review page.
Pop Culture and Icons: Celebrating Quirkiness
In the world of fashion, pop culture has become a vast playground for designers seeking unconventional sources of inspiration. One of the weirdest ways in which fashion designers draw from pop culture is through the creation of garments and collections inspired by fictional characters. From superheroes and villains to beloved animated icons, fashion designers have embraced the quirkiness and larger-than-life personas of these characters to bring their imaginative visions to life. It is not uncommon to see runway models strutting in ensembles that pay homage to iconic figures like Wonder Woman, Darth Vader, or even Disney princesses, adding an element of whimsy and playfulness to the fashion landscape.
Furthermore, popular movies and TV shows have also influenced the world of fashion in peculiar and unexpected ways. Designers often find inspiration in the captivating visuals, unique settings, and distinct aesthetics of these productions, translating them into wearable art. From futuristic sci-fi films to period dramas, the influence of movies and TV shows can be seen in the colors, silhouettes, and overall design elements of fashion collections. It is a celebration of the quirkiness and cultural impact of these media creations, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality on the runway.
If you find yourself intrigued by the intertwining worlds of fashion and pop culture, you might also be interested in exploring the realms of psychic readings. A psychic near me could provide fascinating insights into the connections between personal style, pop culture influences, and spiritual energies. To discover reputable psychic reading sites and find the right psychic near you, take a look at this comprehensive review page. Open yourself up to the magical synergy of fashion and the supernatural through the guidance of a skilled psychic.
Historical References: Reviving the Past
Fashion has always been influenced by history, with designers often drawing inspiration from past eras and civilizations to create captivating and unique styles. However, some fashion designers take this fascination with history to the next level by creating the weirdest and most unexpected interpretations of traditional costumes and historical references.
One way in which fashion designers seek inspiration from history is through the revival of specific eras and civilizations. From the opulence of the Renaissance to the sleek lines of Art Deco, designers explore the aesthetics, textiles, and silhouettes of different historical periods to create fashion collections that transport us to a bygone era. They skillfully blend elements of the past with contemporary fashion sensibilities, resulting in garments that are both nostalgic and fashion-forward.
But it doesn’t stop at mere historical reenactment. Some designers take a more unconventional approach by reinterpreting traditional costumes in unexpected and imaginative ways. They deconstruct and reconstruct historical garments, mixing elements from different periods or infusing them with modern materials and techniques. The result is a fusion of old and new, where the familiar elements of historical dress are transformed into avant-garde fashion statements that challenge our perceptions of traditional aesthetics.
This fascination with historical references in fashion showcases the enduring allure of the past and the infinite possibilities for reinvention. By bringing history into the realm of fashion, designers pay homage to the rich heritage of different cultures while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of creativity and design. These unusual reinterpretations of traditional costumes breathe new life into historical narratives, allowing us to experience the beauty and intrigue of the past through a fresh and unconventional lens.
Overall
The world of fashion is a realm of endless possibilities, where designers continuously seek inspiration from the most unconventional sources. Throughout this exploration of the weirdest ways that fashion designers have sought inspiration in the past, we have witnessed the incredible ability of creative minds to find beauty and ingenuity in the unexpected.
From nature’s untamed wilderness to the quirkiness of pop culture icons, fashion has embraced a diverse range of influences. Outlandish animal prints, unconventional materials sourced from the natural world, and garments inspired by fictional characters have all contributed to the eccentric tapestry of fashion. Furthermore, the historical references and unusual reinterpretations of traditional costumes have added depth and intrigue to the industry.
Fashion designers, with their visionary minds, continuously challenge the norms, transforming mundane objects into extraordinary fashion statements and integrating futuristic technology into their designs. This constant evolution and innovation are what make fashion an art form that captivates and inspires.
There was a lot to see on the second day of Primavera Sound Barcelona 2023. Though scheduling conflicts meant I had to miss sets by Beth Orton, Julia Jacklin, Julia Holter, Karate, Avalon Emerson & the Charm, and Nation of Language, among others, and even after deciding to skip Depeche Mode’s headling set (I’d seen them live in 2017) to allow myself a much-needed break, the highlights were plentiful. Plus, catching Daphni’s euphoric dance set, which went late into the night, did not leave me with much time to actually put together the write-ups. But I managed: Here are the most memorable moments of the night.
Getting Excited With the Beths
“Look, it’s the ocean!” Elizabeth Stokes exclaimed, fittingly, after singing about being too scared to dive in on ‘Knees Deep’, a highlight from the Beths’ latest album Expert in a Dying Field. (In an interview, Stokes told us the song was in fact inspired by her time spent in Spain.) The Dice stage was, indeed, a wonderful setting to experience the band’s driving, hook-filled indie pop, and everyone seemed to be having a great time. At one point, Stokes had to replace a capo that somehow exploded off her guitar, and bassist Benjamin Sinclair did an incredible job stalling by getting us to wave over at a boat that happened to be passing by (“You got a ticket?”). Highlights included ‘I’m Not Getting Excited’, ‘Jump Rope Gazers’, and ‘Silence Is Golden’, and the new album’s title track made for a great show-closer: “How do you know/ It’s over when you can’t let go/ Can’t stop, can’t rewind?” We’ve all been there and felt the crushing weight of that question. Somehow, singing along to the words still gets us excited.
Soul Glo Make Their Message Clear
Credit: Eric Pamies
There’s a high chance that anyone who caught Soul Glo’s set at the Plentitude stage on Friday evening will call it the heaviest and most frenetic thing they’ve seen all week – or likely ever. Given that this is Primavera, this maybe doesn’t say much, but even those vaguely familiar with what the group is about might have been caught off guard by just how fast and chaotic the show was, or how compelling Pierce Jordan’s presence on the mic really is. There was a mosh pit going for the majority of the set, and it got wildly (and appropriately) overwhelming on the closer ‘Gold Chain Punk (whogonbeatmyass?)’. With the lyrics practically unintelligible, though, I wasn’t sure how well the songs’ radical politics would translate outside their home country, until Jordan made the message abundantly clear in a speech: “There’s no fucking freedom in the United States.”
The Japanese Breakfast Show Is a Rush
Credit: Eric Pamies
This was Japanese Breakfast’s first-ever show in Spain; their scheduled appearance at Primavera last year was one of a few that ended up being canceled. The crowd at the Santander stage may not have lingered on every word – I wonder if their music translated better at the intimate Vision by Pull&Bear stage later that night – but those around me looked captivated, and the whole performance was, to quote one of their most beloved songs, a rush. Michelle Zauner, at once giddy and expressive, took delight in how much space there was to bounce around on the main stage and often went out of her way to interact with the audience. The more upbeat songs – ‘Be Sweet’, ‘Savage Good Boy’, ‘Everybody Wants to Love You’ – were unsurprisingly enjoyable, but it was the combined lushness and vulnerability that seeped through cuts like ‘Glider’ (from the Sable soundtrack), ‘Posing in Bondage’, and ‘Boyish’ that gave the show an immersive quality. “I feel like I’ve worked my whole life to be here,” Zauner remarked, and someone in front of me claimed she says that at every festival. Of course, I thought. Even if that’s the case, it doesn’t make it any less true.
Tomberlin Vibes
Tomberlin’s i don’t know who needs to hear this… is an album that has gotten me through a lot over the past year, and I was fully prepared for her live show to leave me all emotional. But at the wonderfully intimate, sort of secluded Vision by Pull&Bear stage on Friday night, Tomberlin was just there to vibe. She’s technically on vacation, she said, but was happy to be playing the festival. During her acoustic 30-minute set, she fielded questions, concerns, and song requests from the audience, and a few members quietly engaged. (Way to get all the introverts in one place, Primavera.) Still, not even the persistent echo of electronic music (“That’s exactly what the next album is going to sound like”) could prevent the soul-crushing beauty of her songs from cutting through the chilly summer night breeze. In the end, even in their stripped-back form, songs like ‘stoned’ and ‘happy accident’ did not fail to wreck me. Between hours and hours of loud noise, her “quiet ass little music” was exactly what we needed to hear.
Thrilling as Alvvays
Clara Orozco
I had the pleasure of seeing Alvvays when they were touring in support of 2017’s Antisocialites, and I remember it as a dreamy, wonderful show with a good number of singalongs. But now the power-pop band has Blue Rev to promote, a record shot through with sharper melodies and dense textures that could have been harder to recreate live. But the new songs just made the audience explode in a whole new way. Infectious is the only word that keeps coming to mind; so perfectly did their energy match that of the music that it must have been coursing through their veins from the first moment of contact. The wistful sentimentality of songs like ‘Not My Baby’ and ‘Dreams Tonite’ did nothing to undercut the livelier moments, including ‘Pharmacist’, ‘Belinda Says’, ‘Pomeranian Spinster’, and the ultimate crowd-pleaser ‘Archie, Marry Me’, not least because they all played like hits to this crowd. But by ending with ‘Lottery Noises’, Alvvays reminded us just how great they’ve gotten at mixing all these dynamics into a single track. I can’t imagine their show being any more of a thrill, but time always proves me wrong.
Kendrick Lamar Embraces His Superstardom With a Dramatic, Powerful Show
Credit: Sharon Lopez
Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers is a messy, conflicted, and richly detailed self-portrait of an album that doesn’t easily lend itself to live performance, especially in a festival setting. Instead of trying to come up with an innovative solution to this problem – how much could you play up the irony of having to play these songs in front of hundreds of strangers? – Kendrick Lamar seemed more intent on leaning into than wrestling with his superstar status, rolling through several crowd-pleasers from his catalog with ease. At times he let the silence between songs hang for a little longer than you’d expect, which you might read into as a pointed conceptual choice rather than a theatrical one, but even that sounds like a stretch. The set design appeared minimal, the performance carefully and intricately choreographed, though from where I stood in the back, I couldn’t make out just how elaborate and dramatic the whole presentation was. (I also missed the three songs with Baby Keem that came at the end.) Some of his songs might have been stripped of their thorniness, but Lamar’s subtle intensity was masterful. It was an undeniably captivating show that didn’t set out to challenge your perception of who the rapper is but didn’t quite prop up his image, either, instead letting the humanity and impact of his work speak for itself.
Christine and the Queens’ Lonely, Celestial Spectacle
Christine and the Queens had no trouble bringing his boldly theatrical, uniquely poetic vision to the festival stage. Drawing inspiration from Tony Kushner’s play Angels in America, Chris offered an arresting preview of his soon-to-be-unveiled album Paranoïa, Angels, True Love, giving the tracks ‘Let me touch you once’ and ‘I met an angel’ their live debut while artfully weaving in fan favorites like ‘People, I’ve been sad’ and ‘Saint Claud’. Through his dramatically intense performance, the loneliness at the heart of the music spiraled into anger, tenderness, aching desperation, and finally back to love; he repeatedly looked to his band, the “lords of music,” to envelop the feeling in its grand, celestial glory. You simply could not imagine this performance taking place any time before midnight; unlike other performers at the festival, Chris had no interest in the sea stretching out across from us. His were locked up to the sky, hungry for the moon and all it refuses to hide.
Yves Tumor Turns That Shit Up
A “big ass crowd” had gathered to watch Yves Tumor’s set at the Cupra stage on Saturday night, and even the artist themselves seemed a little amazed. But their fearless, mesmerizing performance proved they could command the biggest stage any festival could possibly have to offer. At the start of the show, Tumor kept asking for the volume to be turned up, and they never stopped teasing and interacting with the audience like a true, frenzied rock n’ roll showman. Antics included licking the camera, gliding down across the floor, and simulating sex acts with the band’s glammed-up guitarist and drum…set. The songs from Tumor’s latest album, Praise a Lord Who Chews but Does Not Consume (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds), plus highlights from Heaven to a Tortured Mind and The Asymptotical World EP, sounded fantastic live, a reminder of just how far their music has come in leaping out of the shadows. This was no parody of a rock star, they seemed to suggest, but the absolute real thing.
Follow along with our Primavera Sound 2023 coverage here.
