Stars of the Lid Play MuseumLondon
Over the years I have been fortunate to see a wide variety of live performances in several venues around the Forest City (London, ON). Last night’s presentation by Adam Wiltzie and Brian McBride (the Stars of the Lid) at Museum London was one of the best in memory. Despite a late start (due to typical US Canada border rigmarole) and a ‘slightly’ awkward room, the music was magnificent. Smart and highly technical, the American duo ceded center stage to their formidable string players and projected images 'kind of' behind'. (The room was not entirely conducive to a large ensemble nor was the lighting particularly ambient.) But in the end this felt like an artistic event that only a place like MuseumLondon could house and by all measures succeeded on every front.
If you are unfamiliar with the band, their work stands as some of the most original and evocative music being produced today. Their stellar 2007 Kranky Records release, And Their Refinement of the Decline was a critical and artistic realization quite unlike any other. This is music that pushes the edge and is capable of taking listeners to another place. Singular and uncompromising, their huge swells of ambient guitar drone and impeccable string playing was ‘sonically perfect’ for the London audience. Fitting then, Stars of the Lid once described their name as referring to the private images generated between the eye and closed eyelid; the outfit’s precise blend of texture and classical minimalism captivated and transported a room full of eager Museum London listeners.
The show, sponsored in large part by LOLA (London Ontario Live Arts) was done right on all levels. Despite some minor technical limitations of the room it really felt like an event of import and as such treated the audience very well. (The food and atmosphere, most wonderful accompaniments.) Perhaps organizers will consider the band for their next LOLA outing at Victoria Park in the fall- under the stars would be near perfect.
The evening also saw terrific and lengthy opening performances from guitarist Christopher Willits and London’s own the Riderless. (I'll definitely be exploring both further. I'll be sure to share that through this blog.)
These Stars fall next in Toronto (tonight), and continue their outing through late May.
04-28 Toronto, Ontario - Music Gallery *
04-29 Montreal, Quebec - Memorial Masonic Temple *
05-01 Boston, MA - Museum of Fine Arts *
05-02 New York, NY - Good Shepherd Church (Wordless Music Series)
05-03 Philadelphia, PA - St. Mary's Episcopal Church *
05-04 Washington, DC - Iota Club & Café *
05-05 Asheville, NC - Fine Arts Theatre *
05-07 Austin, TX - Ritz Theatre *
05-08 Dallas, TX - Granada Theater
05-17 Minehead, England - Butlins Holiday Ctr (ATP)
05-19 Bristol, England - Cube Microplex Cinema
05-20 London, England - St Giles-in-the-Fields Church
05-21 Birmingham, England - Hare & Hounds
05-22 Glasgow, Scotland - Stereo
05-23 Aberdeen, Scotland - The Tunnels
05-24 Newcastle, England - Church of St. Thomas the Martyr
05-25 Leeds, England - Holy Trinity Church
* with Christopher Willits
If you are unfamiliar with the band, their work stands as some of the most original and evocative music being produced today. Their stellar 2007 Kranky Records release, And Their Refinement of the Decline was a critical and artistic realization quite unlike any other. This is music that pushes the edge and is capable of taking listeners to another place. Singular and uncompromising, their huge swells of ambient guitar drone and impeccable string playing was ‘sonically perfect’ for the London audience. Fitting then, Stars of the Lid once described their name as referring to the private images generated between the eye and closed eyelid; the outfit’s precise blend of texture and classical minimalism captivated and transported a room full of eager Museum London listeners.
The show, sponsored in large part by LOLA (London Ontario Live Arts) was done right on all levels. Despite some minor technical limitations of the room it really felt like an event of import and as such treated the audience very well. (The food and atmosphere, most wonderful accompaniments.) Perhaps organizers will consider the band for their next LOLA outing at Victoria Park in the fall- under the stars would be near perfect.
The evening also saw terrific and lengthy opening performances from guitarist Christopher Willits and London’s own the Riderless. (I'll definitely be exploring both further. I'll be sure to share that through this blog.)
These Stars fall next in Toronto (tonight), and continue their outing through late May.
04-28 Toronto, Ontario - Music Gallery *
04-29 Montreal, Quebec - Memorial Masonic Temple *
05-01 Boston, MA - Museum of Fine Arts *
05-02 New York, NY - Good Shepherd Church (Wordless Music Series)
05-03 Philadelphia, PA - St. Mary's Episcopal Church *
05-04 Washington, DC - Iota Club & Café *
05-05 Asheville, NC - Fine Arts Theatre *
05-07 Austin, TX - Ritz Theatre *
05-08 Dallas, TX - Granada Theater
05-17 Minehead, England - Butlins Holiday Ctr (ATP)
05-19 Bristol, England - Cube Microplex Cinema
05-20 London, England - St Giles-in-the-Fields Church
05-21 Birmingham, England - Hare & Hounds
05-22 Glasgow, Scotland - Stereo
05-23 Aberdeen, Scotland - The Tunnels
05-24 Newcastle, England - Church of St. Thomas the Martyr
05-25 Leeds, England - Holy Trinity Church
* with Christopher Willits
3 comments:
I have to admit ignorance of Stars of the Lid, but what I heard on their site was lovely. I don't generally go to a lot of ambient concerts, and I am never quite sure how visually engaging they will be, but you know what, they always are.
Thanks for the introduction.
You are most welcome Barbara. I am always more than happy to engage someone to discover new and great music. And this band certainly lives up to those qualities.
I actually thought of you during the show as I noticed B Webb from Constantines was in attendance at the show on Sunday night.
Looking forward to your countdown to Radiohead later this summer. I think musically speaking its going to be a fantastic season.
s
How cool that you spotted Bry Webb in the audience. I love when musicians I admire show their support for other musicians. It's the whole circle of life thing.
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