Stars May Have Lost Their Shimmer?

Photo Credit Here
Stars
The Vogue Theatre
Nov 4, 2010

The last time I saw Stars perform were on Nov 17, 2007 at the Commodore Ballroom.
That was a great evening, the sound was mixed well, the audience was enthusiastic and the live music was enjoyable.

I expected the same type of show at the Vogue Theatre. Admittedly, I hadn't quite listened to their new album Five Ghosts to a point where I had all their lyrics memorized as with their previous release. But nonetheless I was looking forward to a good show.

A friend and I went to Guu Gardens to grab a bite to eat before the show. We saw Amy Milan and crew seated in the restaurant as well. I soon found out as the night progressed that it would be the best moment of that night. A simple sighting completely trumps the show.... let me tell you why.

Once we set foot into the theatre we decided to stand up by the stage.
Once the opener Young Galaxy began I immediately felt uncomfortable... was it just me or was the sound coming from the speakers distorted?
My body core was vibrating so extremely that I felt anxiety rise in my chest.
Usually the bass/drums would cause our clothes and selves to vibrate and move. This usually happens at any live show were the instruments and vocals were mixed well. I was expecting this.
Instead, the sound of the keys and synths created waves of nausea to set inside me.
The sound was so unfortunate and it really ruined the night for me.
I could hardly hear the vocals -- the sythns and keys were TOO loud, guitars not loud enough. I didn't think the sound was mixed well at all. I'm not an expert, but I could have used more vocals.

To add to my discomfort with the sound, the audience really did not help. One in particular thought that claiming space would, what, give them more wiggle room for their very slim body type? I would love to forget this night ever happened. I've been to enough shows to understand that concert etiquette is not hard to understand. Don't push in front of people and increasingly make a point to claim more space. What an irritating experience.

This is not to say that Stars' performance was lacking at all. Visually Torquil Campbell and Amy Milan had great stage presence. They were full of energy and were both great performers. Torquil was working up quite a sweat, needless to say it was very "rockstar" like. Amy Milan worked the stage in 4 inch heels, we later found out that she's 5 months pregnant! I had no idea, she was glowing on stage.... and that may be why. They played old songs and new had great energy, they also had an small intermission midway through their set and played 2 acoustic songs. It was magical.
It was a great show to watch and be absorbed in. Unfortunately the sound, for me anyway, really brought the night down.

Maybe if Stars were to come to perform in Vancouver again on their next leg of their tour --- I may consider going if they were to play a different venue.

(It's funny because some of my favourite concert memories were at The Vogue Theatre, Joanna Newsom - Amazing. ---- I don't know what happened this time around. Was it the venue/sound/band? --- maybe just my ears?

Sounds of London

The XX:
Consisted of 4 friends from London England who enjoyed making music together. Since their quick rise of success, the pressures may have caught one of them. Baria the former guitarist and keyboard player recently left the band.

I happened onto their Myspace profile and immediately decided that their mellow sounds and harmonized vocals were different.
Different to me = worth a listen.

They're vocals are shared between Jaime, the guitarist with the hipster hair and Oliver the bassist, whose voice can be compared to that of Matt Berninger (The National). Deep and sex-driven. Perfect. Contrasting Jaime's breathy mutters in a sense, its the kind of voice you use to whisper in someones ear. Romantic isn't it?
I've been listening to their self-titled album for the past few months.
Favourites include:
Heart Skipped A Beat
Shelter
Night Time
Stars

A friend informed me that they were playing an instore at Zulu Records at 5pm on Thursday November 26th. This i had to attend. They're in Vancouver supporting Holly Miranda and the Friendly Fires, playing at the Commodore at 8pm... If only I were 19.

By 3:45 I was at Zulu and sifting through records, I met another fan, Ed, a third year medical student at UBC. I was surprised, he didn't look like someone who would listen to two 20 year olds singing about their sexual desires. Music brings people together, doesn't it?
By 4:30 Zulu began filling up and we were standing arms length away from their microphones. I loved this already.
When The XX finally came out, cheers erupted, and then the music began.
The set was 35 minutes, spliced between each song a very British "thank you".
Songs played were:
Vcr
Shelter
Crystalised
Infinity
Night Time

The sound was surprisingly clear and the songs sound great live.
I loved their set and the energy in the room. They said between the songs that they were nervous and this was the first time they've ever played in front of a lit audience.
I think they were a little scared that they could see our faces and our every move.
I'd be a little nervous.

I can't wait to see this band in a concert setting.
http://www.myspace.com/thexx