3DCadman
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I couldn't find the recent thread about Stereolab in concert thru searching, so I thought I'd post a short review of the show for you Stereolab fans.
I have to say, as a relative long time fan (I bought Mars Audiac Quintet new), I have never seen them in concert.
My brother (who is a Stereolab nOOb) and I arrived at the Majestic Theater in Detroit about an hour before the doors opened. A small crowd had formed (about 30 people). Before long the line formed about 2 blocks long. I'm not sure how many there were but I'd guess several hundred, all excited.
As we entered the theater (cool, but kind of rough) we settled in for the long haul 10-15 yards from the stage. Arranged on stage were about 5 or 6 various keyboards, organs, etc. Must be Stereolab!
The crowd was a weird mix of couples (old and young), young groups of 20 somethings and surprisingly many single guys (alone). The 'Lab appeal to a wide range of people.
The theater is a small, standing room only type venue. At first listen, the house music sounded good. A good sign.
The opening act was The Espers. I had never heard of them before. They were described as "Acid Folk". They weren't bad, but they were quite different from Stereolab, as they were kind of down, almost never smiled and were very serious most of the time, except when the lead singer joked they were going to cover Hall and Oat's "Maneater". Mostly enjoyable, but we were anxious to see Stereolab, of course.
Even better, the sound had proven to be very good at the theater, very clear with powerful bass, but not overdone. Cool.
After they were done there was a LONG time between sets.
FINALLY, Stereolab emerged. Forgive me for not remembering the complete setlist, but I will try to remember what I can. For the life of me, I can't remember what the opening song was. I believe it was a cut from Dots and Loops.
There were a total of 7 musicians on stage, Laetetia and Tim of course, and I believe their longtime bassist and drummer. There were also 3 other keyboardists, including one who also played guitar and french horn.
The played thru just about all of their new CD "Fab Four Suture" with other classics sprinkled throughout.
The sound was FANTASTIC. It was crystal clear with heart pounding bass. I even commented to my brother that I could actually feel the bass thru the tip of my nose!! The only bad part, if any, was the usual tendency all concerts have to bump up the volume level way too high halfway thru the show, but it only detracted a little.
The 'Lab can create an awesome wall of sound. I was not even close to being prepared for that. I've heard they put on a good show, but their music live and loud is something to behold. I listened to the new CD in my car on the way into work today, and I kept thinking "Not even close" to what I heard at the theater. Truly powerful stuff, especially when they get the repetitive, drony groove on (like their old stuff). Hypnotizing, it was.
Actually the most powerful song for me turned to be one of the new ones "Excursions Into "oh, a-oh". WOW was that cool, and the entire crowd erupted with glee after that one.
I found myself completely fixated on Laetetia though almost the entire show. She was a mesmerizing singer. Very elegant, as she cooed the notes with her eyes shut, and subtly dancing as she did it. She had a magical smile with the crowd and her bandmates that gave me chills. And when she spoke, that accent.......
The show lasted about 1 1/2 hours, with a 2 or 3 song encore (I can't remember). They also did a cool free jam toward the end of the last song, and finished it off with the patented "Powerful Repetitive Groove" thing.
I was spent.
The only negative thing I can say at all about the show was the sad fact that Mary is gone, and apparently they are not going to replace that in the show. They tried to replace much of her background singing with keyboard fills or the horns. That part of the sound is missed very much by me, but it was still great, even without it.
I would LOVE to see them again sometime. I was nervous that I had them up on a pedestal in my mind, and I would be disappointed in the show. Nothing could be further from the truth. They were even better than I thought they'd be.
If you are a Stereolab fan, I URGE you to see them if you get the chance!!!!
Sorry so long, but I had to get that all out of me.
EDIT: I'd love to hear from others who have seen them both on this tour and past, on how my experience compares to yours.
I have to say, as a relative long time fan (I bought Mars Audiac Quintet new), I have never seen them in concert.
My brother (who is a Stereolab nOOb) and I arrived at the Majestic Theater in Detroit about an hour before the doors opened. A small crowd had formed (about 30 people). Before long the line formed about 2 blocks long. I'm not sure how many there were but I'd guess several hundred, all excited.
As we entered the theater (cool, but kind of rough) we settled in for the long haul 10-15 yards from the stage. Arranged on stage were about 5 or 6 various keyboards, organs, etc. Must be Stereolab!
The crowd was a weird mix of couples (old and young), young groups of 20 somethings and surprisingly many single guys (alone). The 'Lab appeal to a wide range of people.
The theater is a small, standing room only type venue. At first listen, the house music sounded good. A good sign.
The opening act was The Espers. I had never heard of them before. They were described as "Acid Folk". They weren't bad, but they were quite different from Stereolab, as they were kind of down, almost never smiled and were very serious most of the time, except when the lead singer joked they were going to cover Hall and Oat's "Maneater". Mostly enjoyable, but we were anxious to see Stereolab, of course.
Even better, the sound had proven to be very good at the theater, very clear with powerful bass, but not overdone. Cool.
After they were done there was a LONG time between sets.
FINALLY, Stereolab emerged. Forgive me for not remembering the complete setlist, but I will try to remember what I can. For the life of me, I can't remember what the opening song was. I believe it was a cut from Dots and Loops.
There were a total of 7 musicians on stage, Laetetia and Tim of course, and I believe their longtime bassist and drummer. There were also 3 other keyboardists, including one who also played guitar and french horn.
The played thru just about all of their new CD "Fab Four Suture" with other classics sprinkled throughout.
The sound was FANTASTIC. It was crystal clear with heart pounding bass. I even commented to my brother that I could actually feel the bass thru the tip of my nose!! The only bad part, if any, was the usual tendency all concerts have to bump up the volume level way too high halfway thru the show, but it only detracted a little.
The 'Lab can create an awesome wall of sound. I was not even close to being prepared for that. I've heard they put on a good show, but their music live and loud is something to behold. I listened to the new CD in my car on the way into work today, and I kept thinking "Not even close" to what I heard at the theater. Truly powerful stuff, especially when they get the repetitive, drony groove on (like their old stuff). Hypnotizing, it was.
Actually the most powerful song for me turned to be one of the new ones "Excursions Into "oh, a-oh". WOW was that cool, and the entire crowd erupted with glee after that one.
I found myself completely fixated on Laetetia though almost the entire show. She was a mesmerizing singer. Very elegant, as she cooed the notes with her eyes shut, and subtly dancing as she did it. She had a magical smile with the crowd and her bandmates that gave me chills. And when she spoke, that accent.......
The show lasted about 1 1/2 hours, with a 2 or 3 song encore (I can't remember). They also did a cool free jam toward the end of the last song, and finished it off with the patented "Powerful Repetitive Groove" thing.
I was spent.
The only negative thing I can say at all about the show was the sad fact that Mary is gone, and apparently they are not going to replace that in the show. They tried to replace much of her background singing with keyboard fills or the horns. That part of the sound is missed very much by me, but it was still great, even without it.
I would LOVE to see them again sometime. I was nervous that I had them up on a pedestal in my mind, and I would be disappointed in the show. Nothing could be further from the truth. They were even better than I thought they'd be.
If you are a Stereolab fan, I URGE you to see them if you get the chance!!!!
Sorry so long, but I had to get that all out of me.
EDIT: I'd love to hear from others who have seen them both on this tour and past, on how my experience compares to yours.
