Scottish Monsters Invade, Beautifully

The last time I saw Mogwai (July 2003, I believe), I stood with my forearms on the stage and crossed, watching the awesomeness that is their live show. This time around, I was a couple rows back, sometimes being taken aback by their wild and random light display. That definitely surprised me, as did their performance that night. They came out dressed in green track suits, with the crowd roaring as they opened with "Yes, I Am a Long Way From Home," (how appropriate. The sound was super-clean, with every harmonic ringing in my ears with simple delight.

Some say this band is moody; true, their music can be that at times. But they're always a treat to see live. They play the loud parts jarringly-loud, and their soft parts... pillow-soft? However, their set was more subdued than last time, playing mostly from their newest disc, Mr. Beast. They didn't play any of their long tracks, which disappointed me. But, bands have to mix things up once in a while, and I understand that. I wasn't fond of some of the stage lighting, and the sign outside First Avenue said there would be strobes going off; still, some of it detracted from their otherwise-stellar performance. I did enjoy their Scottish emblem displayed on a banner onstage, and the way the main guitarist swayed and moved; with and by the music. Not just for the crowd, but for himself as well. When I see music moving someone like that, it simply moves me. I've written many poems and journal entries to Mogwai's catalogue; after that night, I don't see an end to that.

I didn't catch all of Torche's opening set, but what I did see was straight-up metal (not fast, just slow-crushing drums that built in intensity with every hit). Long-haired musicians rocking out, the singer yelling words I couldn't understand (partly because the sound mix wasn't great - happens with opening acts, unfortunately); the kind of metal music not heard a lot anymore.

To end this, it is unbelievable that I saw Sigur Ros, Mogwai and Mono in the span of a little over a month. Thank you, Twin Cities music venues, so so much.