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Beck
9 out of 10 - Simply Amazing. Can't wait to see 'em again.
Friday, July 01, 2005
Santa Barbara Bowl
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Riding high on the Mex theme-Beck played an impromptu solo gig two nights before in San Francisco at Mission staple Pancho Villa- the Beck show trotted into Santa Barbara for a sold out show at the Santa Barbara Bowl featuring Autolux and Le Tigre as openers.
At 6.30 sharp, Los Angeles darlings Autolux took to the stage and brought their fuzzed out sound to play. The three-piece ensemble delivered a highlight set to those who dare show up early and even though this band probably doesn’t see too much sunlight were mighty comfortable on the big stage. It is quite apparent that the three piece has no problems making enough noise to fill the cavernous bowl and could easily headline a place this size as their sound is quite full and textured lending a unique sound to the environs. Thank Beck for putting this band on the bill, an excellent choice for Southern California, but, if only Mcrorie could have been here….Next up was Le Tigre who sported a forty-minute slot on tonight’s bill. They made the rounds in November and not much has changed except for the costuming. Le Tigre turned in a fine set but following Autolux was seemingly tough for me, what can I say? I am sold on the ‘lux.
Beck and Company came on around 8.30 and played for a solid hour and a half. Having seen Beck in many incarnations over the years, speculations a plenty were in the air. Would he dance? Would the show be good? Who is in his band now? Well, put the questions to rest here. No, Beck did no dancing, the show was good and I don’t know who makes up the current touring band. What I do know is that despite the lack of moves by the B-man, the creative aspect was top notch. Cutting edge visuals and a descending boom box decorated as backdrops with the band jumping first into “Clap Your Hands” from Guero.
Forging through the set, Beck culled from most of the past releases and sprinkled anthems like “loser” , “where it’s at” and “mixed bizness” with lesser known greats like “Debra” (a major highlight) and “sexx laws”. To top those, a great rendition of “everybody’s got to learn sometime” from Michel Gondry’s amazing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Not wanting to give away all, there is a midway through the show where the band takes a short “dinner” brake and a table is rolled out onto the stage and the band members all take a seat. As Beck strums alone the band slowly starts to join in by playing shaker fruits, wine glasses with varying amounts of water and drumming with spoons and forks on the dinner table, this is nothing short of amazing and makes you wonder who could have ever dreamed this up, a must see.
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| Barney Rebel |
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Read More About: Beck
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