The opener, Quannnic’s sound clearly stems from the 2020 TikTok shoegaze resurgence, and it was amazing to see such a passionate, on-the-verge artist already opening for a band as culturally significant as Slowdive.
The venue displays a slideshow of upcoming events, including Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in May, and a random IHop ad sandwiched in. Each time the IHop ad flashes up, the New Jersey crowd cheers. It’s unclear who started it, but the collective enthusiasm feels like a hometown tradition. The crowd cheers gain momentum, and the screaming grows louder every time the Ihop ad pops up. Right before the first band, everyone, even the quietest, loneliest, most solemn kid in the crowd, is screaming and clapping for the shop ad.
The first song opens with a gradual emerging synthesizer- a harpsichord sound along, and then a heavier soaring guitar. The instruments are at the forefront here- the emotional world is at rest. Many couples hold onto each other tightly and embrace the lyrics through clenched eyes, choking on their relief. The music you listen to alone becomes realized when you see it performed live. The music you listen to alone becomes something else live—emotional and intense, with a brief but heavy pressure to remain fully present for every moment.
It feels tighter when you listen to the studio recordings of Slowdive with headphones on. The advent of using effects works very well on a record, but it’s harder to differentiate the textures- it can sound almost blurry, as though you’re swimming through the music. Each song seamlessly rolls into one another. Rachel dances matronly on the stage when she doesn’t have a keyboard or guitar occupying her hands. The projections intensify the senses, and the flashing black and white lights heighten the atmosphere and emphasize the metal influence in songs like “Catch the Breeze.”
The leading man, Neil Halstead, has an earnest Australian aesthetic with a chevron mustache, sunlit hair, gap teeth, and a brimmed hat. It feels unpretentious, as his legacy of being critically recognized as one of the most influential songwriters should speak to his authenticity. Many of the songs from Souvlaki were written from the experience of the split between him and Rachel Goswell, the band frontwoman. The band typically worked together thoroughly during the songwriting process; this sophomore album is unique to their catalog in that the songs were written in solitude. Halstead spent two weeks in a rented cottage in Wales to recover, emerging with heartfelt songs like “Dagger.” These songs were then pieced together, with collaboration from such legends as muzak pioneer Brian Eno. Listening to the atmospheric melodies of Slowdive, it is clear that they have had the honor of being taught by one of the greatest musical minds alive; the melodies are, therefore, nothing short of masterful.
The show ends with an encore of “Dagger” and “40 Days.” The emotional tone of Dagger necessitates the crowd to be respectfully swayful, but 40 days brings back the fervor. The dreamy voice of Neil and accentuated guitar solos washing over the song make you feel as if you’re caught in tides. The green strings of light on the projection capture the feeling of those tides.
Featured image photo credit: Raymond Flotat
