I feel like this show has been a long time in the making, and I’m not just talking about it being postponed from earlier this year. It seems as though I was always just missing out on seeing Sleigh Bells nearby. But no more!
First let me start by acknowledging that this was probably one of the latest start times I’ve ever experienced for a concert. It started at nine, but with just one opener and a jam-packed set, was over by eleven. N3ptune was the opening act, and while I wouldn’t go see them under normal circumstances, it was still a good and entertaining performance. Their set was brief at only six songs, but got the crowd sufficiently pumped up for when Sleigh Bells took the stage just half an hour later. From there it was all energy.
Sleigh Bells started off with one of the singles off their latest release, Texis, that came out earlier this year, “Justine Go Genisis.” That was a solid opening track for the show which kept the energy high throughout the whole sixty minutes. The band’s debut album, Treats, got the most love on this set with hits like “Crown on the Ground” and “kids” making the cut, but I also got to hear “A/B Machine” for the first time. It’s been awhile since I’ve listened to Treats, and I’m sure this was one of the tracks I skipped for some reason. That song slapped live! “Infinity Guitars” was another song off that record that really had the crowd going nuts.
As their set went on I casually made my way closer to the stage. There was even an opening for me to get right in the first or second row, but I never braved up to push all the way through. Either way, from that vantage point, I really got to see lead singer, Alexis Krauss, really engage with the crowd. She, and the rest of the band, looked so dang happy to be there, and that just makes shows really freaking fun! Not only were the band dancing hard, but the music and vocals sounded impeccable. They really brought their A-game, and it makes me feel better about waiting so long to see them live. Aside from Treats, I was excited to hear what else made the cut, with ‘Locust Laced” being at the top of my list. “Bitter Rivals” was also really fun to hear.
Overall, this just felt like a really memorable show. I think this stop is early in the tour, so if you see them coming nearby, please go check them out. Also, despite their name, they do not sing Christmas songs.