Concert Review/Photos: alt-J @ the Tower
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
Did the Brits earn all these sold out stateside shows?
[ 11/14 ] After debuting a new song earlier this year featuring a mixed-review Miley Cyrus sample and the announcement of the departure of bassist Gwil Sainsbury, alt-J fans were left wondering if the band still had it. Could their second album, This Is All Yours, could live up to the success of their 2012 debut, An Awesome Wave? Did the Brits earn all these sold out stateside shows? After seeing them heat up the Tower on this chilly evening, I’d say the answer is yes.
On a red, smoky stage the opened with that Miley-enhanced number “Hunger of the Pine.” Throughout the evening, alt-J balanced a mix of old and new tracks, accompanied by an astonishing light show. While the band itself remained mostly hidden behind instruments, their talent shone through with their synced harmonies which echoed throughout the theater. Fans sang along, while making triangles with their hands and holding them high. As the band played slower songs like “Matilda” and “Tessellate,” the crowd swayed back and forth, mesmerized by the vocals and lights shining over them. However, that quickly changed to dancing with their latest single, the upbeat “Left Hand Free.” Not surprising, alt-J ended the night with “Breezeblocks” and the energy consumed the venue, making it feel like it was going to explode.
Setlist:
- Hunger of the Pine
- Fitzpleasure
- Something Good
- Left Hand Free
- Dissolve Me
- Matilda
- Bloodflood
- Bloodflood Pt. 2
- Ripe & Ruin
- Tessellate
- Every Other Freckle
- Taro
- Warm Foothills
- The Gospel of John Hurt
Encore:
- Lovely Day (Bill Withers cover)
- Nara
- Leaving Nara
- Breezeblocks
