CHVRCHES
Showbox Sodo, Seattle, WA
08.08.14
The magical threesome CHVRCHES brought their infectious electronic pop sound to the Sodo Showbox for two fantastic shows this week. Their original single date of Thursday simply could not satiate the demand to see them perform, and they consequently added a Friday date into their already bustling schedule. Though their second night didn’t sell out, it certainly was full of people, and offered folks a chance to enjoy CHVRCHES in a somewhat calmer atmosphere with only one opener.
Comprised of singer Lauren Mayberry, guitarist Iain Cook, and synth whiz Martin Doherty, their true talents run far and wide and can’t truly be pegged into particular roles. While they all take hands in the synth production, they also share the vocal responsibilities. This group has certainly found a rhythm between themselves, and it’s easy to see why they’ve cultivated such a following in such a short amount of time. Their formula is solid, and exists in a genre that has yet to be stifled by normalcy and archaic expectations.
Mayberry took to some lighthearted chatter between songs. She thanked everyone for coming out on a Friday night, and talked about having to catch an early flight on Saturday. Her morning alarm had been set incorrectly, and all these things were making her anxious. She seemed very delicate, and one could hear her breath in the microphone as she humorously lamented about sleep. They do, in fact, have quite a jammed schedule, heading to Canada, Portugal, and the UK over the next two weeks. I hope they find some time to rest between the glowing lights and the clamoring fans, and, of course, to make more amazing music.
The opener for this evening was Portland’s very own Summer Cannibals, whose debut album, No Makeup, has officially circulated for one year now. Since then, they’ve spent time polishing and evolving their grit and fuzz, and will be happy to lend you a copy of their latest work, an EP entitled Make You Better. This foursome has a date with Bartfest in Spokane next month, and you can always catch them in their hood south of the border. They have a monster stage presence, so be prepared to jam along.
CHVRCHES Set List:
We Sink
Lies
Lungs
Gun
Night Sky
Strong Hand
Science/Visions
Recover
Tether
Under the Tide
The Mother We Share
Encore:
You Caught the Light
By the Throat
Review by T. Monte
Photos by Sunny Martini
