It is rare for me, as a straight female, to fall head over heels in love with a woman, but at the Metric concert I fell, and I fell hard, for Emily Haines.
Haines, a meteoric vocalist, demands nothing less than abject admiration and adoration, as she vocally matched and overpowered the din of the accompanying rock band with ease. All the while, she bounced across the stage in a stream of undying energy, enthusiastically pumping her fist in the air.
Hair flowing like a halo, Haines rocked back and forth, throwing herself into the music while her fingers flew over the keyboard. She didn’t just sing. She didn’t just play. She enthralled. She hit all the highs and all the lows, never missing a beat. A natural performer, Haines easily danced between instruments, moving from the keyboard to the tambourine to the guitar and back again. Meanwhile, her energy never slackened and her vocals never faltered.
Prior to seeing Metric live there were only a few recorded songs that I loved. Having now seen them live, their recordings come to life, echoing the remnants of the energetic performance—the pervasive joy, overwhelming emotional connection, and utterly captivating aura of the band.
The openers proved impressive as openers in New York City, yet paled in comparison to the unsurpassable performance by Metric. Unfortunately, NYC hosts an overwhelmingly large number of unimpressive openers, so it was with surprise that I eagerly embraced the Texan band Smile Smile. Summery, feel good tunes filled Terminal 5, proving both relaxing and soothing. Ryan Hamilton’s steely, nasally vocals melded with Jencey Hirunrusme’s sensuously smooth tones.
Any sense of relaxation and ease was instantly demolished when Sebastien Grainger took the stage in his patterned white jumpsuit. Easy listening folk was replaced by energetic rock as the performance commenced. Grainger put on a show that enticed visually and aurally. Jumping with the beat right up against the microphone, his body screamed the emotions of his music as he screwed up his face, clutched the mic, and squeezed his eyes shut in passion.
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Video of interview and performance of “Help I’m Alive” with Emily Haines! Also, an opportunity to download the acoustic track from Metric, in exchange for your email address! Cheap!
The National - 9/11
Marymoor Ampitheatre
The Black Keys - 10/2
The Paramount Theatre
Broken Social Scene - 10/10
Neumos
Broken Social Scene - 10/15
The Paramount Theatre
It was a great show. The energy was intense. I was lucky enough to be right up front.
by Burt on Thu Sep 2, 2010 at 05.01 pm from the entry: The Avett Brothers + Langhorne Slim - Crystal Ballroom (Portland-town, OR; Aug. 30, 2010)
lovin trackz #4,13, and 16
by Phoxy Philly on Thu Sep 2, 2010 at 04.03 pm from the entry: Chiddy Bang's "The Swelly Express" Mixtape (download)
Nice concerning as better as clarifying position.Gives Thanks for providing for us.I show your article with my delight.
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by jhon on Thu Sep 2, 2010 at 02.35 pm from the entry: Tiny Vipers + Rafael Anton Irisarri + Cars & Trains - Mississippi Studios (Portland; Jul. 14, 2010)
agree with beth! dope stuff on both sides of the review.
by @bosconcertphoto on Wed Sep 1, 2010 at 09.48 am from the entry: DJ /rupture + Tanlines - Whitney Museum (New York, NY; August 27, 2010)
Thanks Nicole!
Just wanted to say that although this may be our last time performing this show, I have many other projects in the works. Info and show schedule is on my website.
- Ben
by Ben Darwish on Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 11.47 pm from the entry: Ben Darwish - Afrobeat Tribute to Michael Jackson - Tractor Tavern (Seattle, WA; August, 29, 2010)
Love these photos and review. So, these DJ sets are at 7:30? I don’t really get it. And are these gonna continue once the Whitney moves? And most importantly, where can I attend an “hour-long clinic on shaking ass?”
by beth on Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 06.44 pm from the entry: DJ /rupture + Tanlines - Whitney Museum (New York, NY; August 27, 2010)
Super post there! Comprehensive and well collated material. Thanks for sharing.
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by jhon on Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 01.56 pm from the entry: Deerhoof + The Donkeys + Southeast Engine - Berbati's Pan (Portland, OR; July 6, 2010)
Nice job, Anna. Great photos of Emily Haines!
Hi this is Smile Smile! We will be back to NYC at the Living Room Feb 2, 4 and 6. We have a few free ticket contests happening. You can check our website for more!