For a band that is notorious for having songs about death, depression, and rejection, Metric puts on a surprisingly high-energy show. Openers Band of Skulls weren’t bad; sort of a mix of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on Metric’s anti-depressants. There was discussion about them being on the New Moon soundtrack—which may have lost them a few indie points—but also shows that given five years, the next generation of indie could very well be citing Band of Skulls as inspiration. Stranger things have happened than being motivated by some well-executed kick ass-rock (emo fantasy chick-flick be damned).
As a main act, Metric has no need to come into their own with stage presence. They’ve been around for nearly a decade and have the confident air that only comes from not giving up or changing to fit a record label’s ideal. Emily Haines definitely took her magical charm pills as she had the sold-out crowd falling all over themselves by the opening hum of “Twilight Galaxy.” Balancing between melancholy and all-out rocking, the show mostly hit the highlights off of Fantasies, which left no one complaining. “Satellite Mind,” “Gold Girls Guns,” and “Help I’m Alive” shined in their live and frenzied state. A few earlier numbers popped up (a most enjoyable “Picture of a Girl” and a balls-out rendition of “Dead Disco") and the crowd seemed able to sing along regardless of the release date. Haines bounced about equally high-fiving and ignoring the audience in her shiny gold dress, rocking out with her bandmates while switching among synth, guitar, and just all-out singing her version of the Beastie Boy’s “You Gotta Fight (For Your Right).”
The band kept up the energy and Emily told us that they were so happy to be back in Portland, they wanted to kiss the ground. And the overwhelming majority of us were so happy to see Metric that we’d kiss the ground, too.
DOWNLOAD: Metric - Monster Hospital (MSTRKRFT Remix) (MP3) or Follow us for more Metric MP3s (Twitter)
Two songs go in, one comes out. Pick a side.
thanks so much nadine! probably the best compliment a photog can get!
and thanks for reminding me to embed the video in the post too!
by Steve Benoit on Sun May 20, 2012 at 09.33 am from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
I can’t get over how these photos captured my up close memory of the night.
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 11.08 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
Or should it be whoever? F my grammar.
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 10.30 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
Whomever took these photos certainly captured the night!
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 10.26 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
“Mindkilla” is awesome. I’ve got this music video last week and really impressed through watching every performance particularly “Glass Jar”. Thanks dude. :)
dance contest
by Mark Waugh on Thu May 17, 2012 at 05.54 am from the entry: Gang Gang Dance's Illuminating "Mindkilla"
Also, I have yet to pay this venue a visit, is it good spot? good people, good vibe, good atmosphere?
... man, i hope i win some tickets…
by Jaz Bonnin-Aldatz on Thu May 17, 2012 at 12.27 am from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Looking forward to the show. Would love to win some tix for my pals.
by MC Breath on Wed May 16, 2012 at 07.40 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Ian these pictures are great! Love 1, 6 and 14 (!)
Gorgeous snaps, Ian.
melophobe. crush. Emily Haines.
Thanks for the kind words friends.