16 August 2017 (gig)
21 August 2017
The Mojotic Festival 2017 has had many top acts this year and Beach House who play tonight at the splendid location of the (ex) Convent Dell’Annunziato, to be found in the Baia Del Silenzio, Sestri Levante in Italy, are no exception. Formed by Victoria Legrand (keyboardist) and Alex Scully (guitarist) way back in 2004 after meeting in the Baltimore indie music sceneUSA, they have made six studio albums to date, their most successful being 2015’s “Depression Cherry” (#17UK,#8USA) and have gradually but surely picked up a dedicated following of fans and admirers.
We are in the land of ‘dream pop’ with songs based around the same format of thickset keyboard melodic riffs, laced with delicate guitar touches, often with the use of slide guitar, and a heavy electronic style beat. Along with Leland and Scully tonight is a live drummer on stage but the feel and style is that of a methodical drum machine beat.
The place is packed too, full of young couples holding hands and drinking beer casually hanging around looking cool on this hot summer’s night. With excellent lighting behind the band, the visual is a shadow type effect, Victoria appearing as if an alien as she her arms writhe and dance about her, making it all very hypnotic as the band play their languid style pop. Problem is that as a live show there are no highs or lows as the pace of each song hardly differs from the next, both in introduction and substance, so that gradually energy and attention levels tend to sap and distraction sets in.
However Victoria’s voice is excellent a most soothing almost erotic sounding presence that attracts and please the ear but aside from some noble guitar hooks it just doesn’t quite work for me as a live show. Plenty of mood but no fun or real passion.
Still Victoria is most humble, very appreciative that such a big crowd has shown up and it makes for a pleasant affair. Highlights are the glorious “Walk In The Park” and “Wishes”, for me the best expressions of their musicical style each song having very beautiful captivating choruses, crowd favourite “Space Song” and a biting “Elegy To The Void” near the end.
Setlist Mojotic Festival2017
1. Levitation
2. Wild
3. Walk in the Park
4. PPP
5. Equal Mind
6. Silver Soul
7. Space Song
8. 10 Mile Stereo
9. One Thing
10. Beyond Love
11. Master Of None
12. Wishes
13. Elegy to the Void
14. Take Care
15. Sparks
16. Wherever You Go
17. Myth
