In a Matter of Time: Beach House

Beach House were the first (out of four) band of the week.  I was looking forward to a relatively relaxed gig and thought this would be the perfect start to the week ahead.  I guess what I'm saying is is that in lots of ways, the music Beach House make is the most accessible out of the four bands I was seeing.

I'll be honest, I really didn't like the Anson Rooms as a venue.  I'm not quite sure why.  It may have been that the vastness of the space didn't feel suitable or something.  If another band I like were playing there I would go to see them, but I'd feel a bit disappointed about the venue as it just didn't do it for me.  (Maybe I was put off that it's part of a students union building..hmm.  Maybe)

The stage set was simple, white and just right for setting the tone without being eerie.  Its simplicity could not have been more suitable when matched with the sound Beach House created. I think this gig was truly one where the vocal was completely unwavering and quite unbelievable. It was the best combination of the 'perfect' vocal you get on the album with the atmosphere created by the backdrop and lighting.  On that note, I really did fall a little for the lighting, and at one point it was throwing the most incredible shadows on to the walls either side of the stage.  (The only thing I liked about the vastness of the venue.)

The band truly were magnificent, and I found their set warm and embracing.  Their sound was much bigger than I'd expected, and by far surpassed my expectations based on their albums.  They ended their set with this great reverb and the sound felt huge.  I was blown away to be honest.  I hadn't considered Beach House to be a band that could create such powerful and large sound, and without a doubt I now consider them to be far better than I did before the gig.  Upon reflection, I now see it was imperative that they manipulated their sound this way.  It gives their music a whole new dimension, and that's exciting!  My only concern is that the albums will have almost have an emptiness, but I guess you run that risk whenever a band are just THAT much better live than on record.  

I'm so happy that they were the first stop of the gigathon.  They were an ideal way to begin, and I'm glad that they surpassed my expectations.  That's always a good and inspiring outcome.