It was refreshing to take a break from the 716 on Friday night as I headed to Rochester for the long anticipated Sleigh Bells show at Water Street Music Hall. I finally got to see araabMUZIK live after missing his show in Buffalo last year, which is a regret I can now put behind me. His talent was as mind-blowing as I expected, although I wish he stuck with more of a hip-hop vibe rather than dubstep. Call me jaded.
After feeling like one in a handful of people that was actually getting down to araabMUZIK's set, Sleigh Bells initiated their show with a eerie introduction. I was pressed up against the gate attempted to squeeze next to a couple territorial of their spot. Sleigh Bells took the stage and suddenly vocalist and ultimate babe Alexis Krauss mentioned Buffalo. Several people screamed wildly, including the couple that wouldn't make room for my small frame. We exchanged smiles and nods of acknowledgment with the Buffalo couple, and suddenly enough space was made for me to fit comfortably. Regardless of the different city, the Buffalo love was still there.
The show left me awestruck. With a more intimate crowd size than the Buffalo show in July, the feel of the room was intense. Similar, if not the same set list, I was able to enjoy this show even more because of how deep I fell into their music in the past three months. I couldn't help but tear up a little bit when they performed "End of the Line" and all that was between Alexis Krauss and I was a gate. "It didn't have to be this way, you know it didn't have to be, but it's the end of the line, so goodbye..." I sang along as she sang directly at me; it was as if she knew I felt that combination of utter desperation followed by the longing for retribution that the lyrics bleed.
Just as the show was about to end she beckoned the ladies to come on stage. What I expected was what happened at Town Ballroom when Santigold did the same thing. I braced myself for a mass rush of females climbing over each other, over the gate to hop around on stage. What happened was the furthest from that. Krauss came back over to my little space once again and amongst the outstretched arms she grabbed mine and began to pull me up. With the help of the security guard and my youthful skills and practice from hopping fences when I used to play Wiffle Ball, next thing I knew I was up on stage dancing around to "Rill Rill." After the song ended, me, my friend and the one other girl on stage each hugged Krauss and I must say it was that entire moment that verified this show a place in my top 10 favorites.
Not only did I come home with a sore neck from head-banging, but also a new appreciation for the loyal Buffalo crowd. I left Water Street Music Hall with ringing ears and the biggest grin I've had in weeks. Seeing Sleigh Bells live once again is exactly what I needed to re-learn: that art created in darkness can also be and usually is the most freeing from such.
0 comments
Post a Comment