@JenXMusic

I have known that White Lies were coming out with a new album, I have even checked their website occasionally to see when.  But I have a gift for forgetting all kinds of things, especially when that thing is a number.   So “Ritual” was released and concerts were scheduled and i was somewhere in the fog….literally people…clouds, rain and drizzle; nonstop.

What surprise and joy then, when I checked Neumo’s calendar (because I was feeling anxious about forgetting the date of Say Hi’s show) and saw that White Lies was playing the very next night.   Definitely one of those bands I figured I would never get to see, until…I moved next door to Seattle.   And even then, who would have thought they would play in such a cool, smallish venue.

Thanks to Tac’s friend Matt we found out that Ships would be the opening band.  Here’s how I usually end up feeling about the opening band: Grrrr-Arggg!   But we looked up Ships and they were good, so we got there on time and everything.    We totally enjoyed their music and  positive happy vibe.   The singer reminded us of Andy from Parks and Rec when his beanie would fall over his face and he  just kept singing all the louder.   I hope to see them again.

I love to feel the mood of the crowd change  and grow excited when the headlining band comes out.   There is so much about live music that is felt along with being heard: the floor moving, the music vibrating in your heart, anticipation, brief moments of stillness.  I always try and remember those feelings, they make for very effective anti-depressants when needed.   White Lies came out and very much astounded me with their sound.

They sounded so full and loud, but really clean and crisp too.  Harry McVeigh’s voice was more amazing and rich even than it is on their records.   There were 5 guys onstage playing a lot of music, often switching from one instrument to another.   The mix of 80′s-esque keyboards,  with a strong guitar presence was  heavenly.

We bought the new cd at the show that night, normally i like to have listened to a new album before seeing the show, but this was so cool that I’m glad we did it that way.   Hearing the new songs for the first time in such a perfect setting, played a bit harder I think, than the recorded versions, made me love them all the more.

I was afraid briefly that I wouldn’t hear “Unfinished Business,”  but they were saving it for the encore.   And yes, it was perfect.

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