Anyone who thinks playing in a touring band isn’t actual work is wrong, but standing quietly watching Beach House perform their meditative swoon, it would seem they have the most relaxing job in music today.
One of burgeoning dream-pop scene's biggest acts, Beach House set up their minimal gear, took the stage and played music so mellow it was as though they were putting themselves to sleep. That is not to say the sound didn’t translate exceptionally well to the stage, but the lack of energy was astounding.
However, the audience knew what they were getting into when going this gig. They knew they would be romanced by the smoky and cascading vocals of Victoria Legrand (who stood still, stoic behind a keyboard with thick bangs and wild hair covering her face, for the whole show) and the warm glow of Alex Scally’s guitar (who sat on a chair stage left for eighty percent of the show). As the stage light softened, backlit with twinkling LED stars and fans were caressed as the trio drifted back and forth between Bloom’s “Wild,” “Other People” and “Lazuli” and Teen Dream’s “Walk in the Park,” “Norway,” “Silver Soul” and “Take Care.” And there was hardly a word to the fans save for Scalley’s shout-out to Toronto’s music shop, Paul’s Boutique.
Nearing the end of the show, romance seemed to descend on the crowd, coupling everyone’s alcohol consumption with slow make-out sessions to Devotions “Astronau.” Others texted and tried to take unmemorable iPhone pictures from the back of the room. Not to discredit Beach House for their beautiful songs – they do sound incredible in person – but when you listen to a live song mix for over an hour you start experiencing slight sense of déjà vu.
Closing their set with Bloom’s album opener “Myth” and encoring with deep tracks “Real Love,” “Turtle Island,” “10 Mile Stereo” and super deep track “Irene,” Beach House bid farewell to Toronto for the eleventh time and exited as quietly as they entered.
Artist:
www.beachhousebaltimore.com/
www.myspace.com/beachhousemusic
www.facebook.com/beachhouse
www.twitter.com/beaccchhoussse
Further Reading:
Ground Control Magazine – Beach House – Bloom – [Album Review]
Tour:
Beach House has a new series of dates scheduled for early in 2013. For a confirmed listing of shows, click here .
