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The sound of rhythmic industriousness filled the Trocadero Theatre on Tuesday night in Philadelphia. A day after the release of their new album My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky, Swans played their first show in 13 years. It’s worth noting that this is not the work of a band reuniting for the sake of something else. These are creators whose artistic avenue still has a lot of traffic. The volume was on par with their legacy, but the feeling of the sound was so heavy that vibrations coursed noticeably through each attendee. It felt good.
Michael Gira performs with intensity and passion, seemingly rotating between spiting and appreciating the crowd; performing with his back to the crowd, facing them only to sing into the mic. After a well-deserved applause, Gira warned, “Don’t try to love me or else you’ll have to suck my cock.” After walking away from the mic, Gira quickly returned: “I apologize, that was rude. I often say the wrong things.”
The crude nature and refined delivery of Gira’s comments are a direct reflection of Swans’ music. The structure is such that the industriousness cohabitates with sultry rhythms, sustained chords and pulsating riffs that exist right on the surface. This return marks a great triumph for listeners and for Gira, who once again has a new outlet for creative freedom.
The newly re-formed Swans features Norman Westberg on guitar as the only other original Swan. Westberg’s standstill presence, lanky tattooed body and constant stare is a fright to behold. Phil Puleo, who followed Gira from Angels of Light, is a genius on drums, enduring a workload that would bring a lesser drummer to the brink of exhaustion. Thor Harris, the, well, Thor-looking shirtless man-beast from Shearwater and Angels of Light, is the percussive specialist. Christoph Hahn plucked away on his stand-alone synth guitars, constantly driving riffs into another world. Chris Pravdica churned away on bass with dastardly deep lines that hit you in your very core.
Do not miss these shows:
Sept 28 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero Theater
Sept 29 Washington, DC Black Cat
Sept 30 Boston, MA Middle East downstairs
Oct 01 Montreal, QC Le National – Pop Montreal fest
Oct 02 Toronto, ON at Lee’s Palace
Oct 04 Detroit, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom
Oct 05 Chicago, IL at Bottom Lounge
Oct 06, Columbus, OH Outland Live
Oct 08 Brooklyn, NY, Masonic Temple
Oct 09 New York, NY, Bowery Ballroom
Oct 21- Cork, Ireland Cyprus Avenue
Oct 22 Dublin, Ireland Button Factory
Oct 23 tba
Oct 24- Birmingham, UK – Supersonic Festival
Oct 25 Glasgow, Scotland, Arches
Oct 27 Brighton, UK , Concorde 2
Oct 28 London, UK , Koko Theatre
Oct 29 Leeds, UK a, Uni Stylus
Oct 30 Manchester UK , Academy
Nov 23 Gronignen, Netherlands, VERA
Nov 24 Utrecht, Netherlands, Le Guess Who Fest at Tivoli de Helling
Nov 25 Brussels, Belgium AB
Nov 26 Lille, France, Le Grande Mix
Nov 27, Rouen, France, 106 Club
Nov 28 Paris, France, BBMIX festival
Nov 30 Toulouse, France, Le Phare
Dec 01 Lyon, France, Epicerie Modern
Dec 02 Geneva, Switzerland L’Usine
Dec 03 Turin, Italy, Musica90 c/o Sala Espace
Dec 04, Bologna, Italy, Locomotive Club
Dec 05 Roma, Italy, Piper Club
Dec 07 Vienna, Austria, at Arena
Dec 08 Prague, Czech Akropolis
Dec 09, Wroclaw, Poland, Firlej
Dec 10, Warsaw, Poland, Palladium
Dec 12, Hamburg, Germany Kampnagel
Dec 13 Berlin, Germany, Volksbuehne
