Since much of the world isn’t able to go out and see live music at the moment
Here, 563 days later, (that’s 365 backwards o: ) I have had the privilege to hear live music again.
I saw Godspeed You! Black Emperor (with earplugs)
It was wonderful.
I’d never seen them before and was surprised to hear the pieces performed very faithfully to the recordings. There was certainly some remixing and improvisation here and there but not as much as I’d anticipated.
Found it interesting how little ego there seems to be among the group, which I mean kind of literally: no one introduced themselves—I’ve listened to this band for years and don’t know any of their names—or even spoke at all, and while playing they were clearly not meant to be the focus; there was a big screen behind them on which they had various images and film footage projected. All three of the guitarists were sitting down, at the margins of the group, in the dark. When the show was over each musician recorded a loop that they let play while they put their instruments down and walked offstage. Before they left they each waved to the audience, the only acknowledgement that they were even distinguishable as individuals among the group. I would never insist on this level of self-effacement, but it was neat, anyway, and kept the focus completely on the art.
