Promoting its latest album, “Relaxer,” the English rock band’s tour stop at 20 Monroe Live got a boost from an opening set by indie-pop singer Bishop Briggs. Review, photo gallery, set list.
Inspiring Light Show: Alt-J combined that with some dreamy soundscapes on Tuesday. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTO GALLERY, SET LIST
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
The effects of haunting, synth-heavy soundscapes and an awe-inspiring light show Tuesday night bordered on sensory overload, but that’s exactly what to expect at an Alt-J concert.
Distorted Guitar Riffs: Joe Newman and Alt-J delivered that and more at 20 Monroe Live. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Indeed, the English indie-rock band’s Grand Rapids debut at 20 Monroe Live was warmly received by some 1,800 fans, with rockers and ravers alike finding musical common ground in songs such as “Left Hand Free” and “Fitzpleasure.”
And that distinct sound is what has garnered Alt-J such a passionate and eclectic following in just five years since its first album, “An Awesome Wave.” The trio’s blend of heavily-distorted guitar riffs, dreamy synths, massive-sounding drums and eerily harmonized vocals crosses into completely uncharted territory.
The same could be said for Alt-J’s opening act Bishop Briggs, the alt-pop talent behind the 2016 smash hit “River.” Briggs (aka Sarah Grace McLaughlin) held nothing back as the venue filled up Tuesday evening: singing, screaming and dancing about the stage with unrelenting exuberance.
Unrelenting Exuberance: Bishop Briggs opened Tuesday’s show. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Bishop Briggs is a name we may become accustomed to hearing a lot more down the road.
Alt-J took the stage moments later, delivering an all-out fever dream of atmospheric sounds and sights, including the most impressive light display I’ve seen at a concert.
There wasn’t much banter, aside from a quick “What’s up, Grand Rapids?” from keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton during ensuing 90-minute set.
Unger-Hamilton–along with singer/guitarist Joe Newman and drummer Thom Sonny Green–hardly moved through favorites from their three albums, including “3WW” and the Hans Zimmer collaboration “Adeline” from the band’s 2017 release, “Relaxer.”
The crowd reached a new fervor singing along with the platinum-selling hit “Breezeblocks” during an encore, with those lyrics – “Please don’t go, I love you so” – taking on new meaning for an audience hungry for more.
PHOTO GALLERY: Alt-J, Bishop Briggs at 20 Monroe Live
1. 3WW
2. Something Good
3. Ripe & Ruin
4. Tessellate
5. Deadcrush
6. Nara
7. In Cold Blood
8. Dissolve Me
9. Matilda
10. The Gospel of John Hurt
11. Bloodflood
12. Every Other Freckle
13. Taro
14. Adeline
15. Pleader
16. Fitzpleasure
Encore:
17. Intro (An Awesome Wave)
18. Left Hand Free
19. Breezeblocks
Copyright 2017, Spins on Music LLC
