Instrumental Refuge

Time to talk about some of the (predominantly) instrumental bands I've seen live, who tend to fall into the whole "post rock" category. The three that shall be discussed are God Is An Astronaut, Mogwai, and Russian Circles, each with their respective opening acts for those shows. These go back a little bit, but I want to have a little bit talking about them here non the less.

God Is An Astronaut - 8/5/11 Bowery Ballroom

The opening act, was Brooklyn based indie band Monogold. Both bands really sounded great, and the whole vibe of the show was really chill. There were occasions during GIAA's set where moshing actually occurred (and the band ended up cuing the audience when to mosh at times). Nothing to extreme, but it was interesting and a bit fun to be around because everyone was just really into the music. There were times where they can just really put you into what seems like another world. The venue itself I recall being pretty nice, small, and easy to get close to the stage without being overcrowded. The whole show was really just fantastic overall though, and the next time they come to the states I would definitely go and see them again. They really put on an amazing show, with a lot of emotion, and everyone just really into the world created by their music.

Here is what their lovely set was that night:
01. Remaining Light | 02. Fragile | 03. Age of the Fifth Sun | 04. Echoes | 05. Remembrance Day | 06. Shadows | 07. Worlds In Collision | 08. Zodiac | 09. Snowfall | 10. Suicide By Star | 11. Forever Lost | 12. Route 666 | 13. All Is Violent, All Is Bright

Mogwai - 6/15/12 Webster Hall

Third time is the charm with finally getting to do this show in NYC.. with an opening act of Balam Acab. Now, by the "third time's the charm" I am referring to how this was the third time that Mowai tried to have these shows (two nights in a row) at Webster Hall. The first time being back in April 2011, and the second in September of that same year. Both of these shows ended up being cancelled either due to medical or visa problems with the band. They finally made it to New York though for the June 14th and 15th shows. I must say, their performance made it worth the wait. They sounded fantastic in their set, and really like GIAA's concert, put you in another mindset. With their instrumentals, use of feedback, and occasionally vocal songs, it just really added into a great set. It was just wonderful for them to finally make it over to the states, and everyone in the audience was enjoying it so much to see them after the long wait.

Their set was as follows:
01. Yes! I Am A Long Way From Home | 02. White Noise | 03. I Know You Are But What Am I? | 04. San Pedro | 05. Mexican Grand Prix | 06. Stanley Kubrick | 07. Stop Coming To My House | 08. Cody | 09. Ex-Cowboy | 10. How to Be a Werewolf | 11. 2 Rights Make 1 Wrong | 12. Ratts of the Capital
Encore: 13. Rano Pano | 14. I'm Jim Morrison, I'm Dead | 15. We're No Here

Russian Circles - 8/18/12 Highline Ballroom

For this tour Russian Circles was performing with two opening bands; Marriages and Chelsea Wolfe. The opening bands were each good, having a very chill vibe to them and the audience during their sets. Once Russian Circles came on, they really put on a great set. On various parts of the stage they had a few lamps set up which I thought was pretty neat. Their set really sounded great, and they were quite into the music. After their last song of the main set, the venue put the lights on. However that was fixed by everyone chanting for them to come back for an encore, which they did wonderfully. One of their songs even led to a small bit of moshing in part of the crowd. But really overall, the whole show was great.

Here was their set:
01. 309 | 02. Harper Lewis | 03. Geneva | 04. Carpe | 05. Schiphol | 06. Youngblood | 07. Mlàdek
Encore: 08. Death Rides a Horse