"We feel more and more intensely about the music we make. It's unexpected, and not always what you would think of in Beach House. It's all art in the end. We aren't making records because we have to; it's because it's what we want to express."
― Victoria Legrand
A Beach House fan for over a decade, I finally got to see my favorite band live! I hadn't been to a live show since St. Vincent came to Madison back in May of 2015. Over a quarter century ago I wasn't nearly as selective about what concerts I went to, but I recall being bored the second time I saw Peter Murphy (I think in March of 2000). After that I was more cautious. I do so love it when one's adoration for a band matches up with an excellent live performance. I recollect feeling the same for bands like Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Depeche Mode, and The Cure at live shows.
Naturally, Beach House sold out The Sylvee.
Many have attempted to describe their alternative/indie psychedelic and ethereal brand of music but always fall short. It best fits into the dream pop subgenre, but I find that some of their material sort of overlaps with the related shoegaze genre; bands like Lush, My Bloody Valentine, The Jesus & Mary Chain, as well as the Cocteau Twins. Beach House has a sound all to their own. Effectively a duo with Victoria Legrand (lead vocals and keyboards) and Alex Scally (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), Legrand possess a unique contralto vocal range, which I first thought was a male singer when introduced to their album Teen Dream.
The show's setlist may seem short, but many of their songs run over 5 minutes ― they played just over an hour and a half, which was fine by me.
Once Twice Melody
Lazuli
Dark Spring
Silver Soul
Through Me
Wildflower
Pink Funeral
PPP
Black Car
Take Care
Superstar
On the Sea
New Romance
Myth
Hurts to Love
Space Song
Lemon Glow
Over and Over
I greatly admire Alex Scally's swirling melodic guitar instrumentation, deployed with a Fender Stratocaster (of course). Sometimes when I practice I like to experiment with similar type ethereal sounds, combining the onboard effects of my Boss Katana and Walrus SLO Multi-layer Reverb and Pigtronix Disnortion effect pedals. Perhaps I'll throw something together sometime.
Anyway, what a fantastic show ― I won't soon forget it!
All images © 2022 Mike McDowell