Lord Huron Takes Us to The Edges of The Cosmos in Berlin
Did you ever want to uncover the mysteries of our universe? Have you felt the need to transcend beyond the borders of our reality and find out the strange truths that lurk in the cosmos?
Well, for better (or for worse, if the album "Vide Noir" is anything to go by), now is your chance! Coming off their fifth album release, as well as the ten-year anniversary of their hit record "Strange Trails", the American indie-folk band Lord Huron now embarks on another tour. Finishing the first leg in the US, the band now moved on to enchanting European audiences and taking them on a trip way out there.
We at The UNSEEN got the opportunity to see them in action, live at the Tempodrom in Berlin on the 8th of September. Supported by the Irish indie-rock band Pillow Queens, the show got off to a fantastic start. The opening gig managed to establish a fantastic and electric atmosphere, capturing the audience and leaving with a lot more fans than they started. Their setlist, consisting of songs like "Suffer", "Be A Big Girl", and "Liffey", shows their strength and talents in every way imaginable. They are definitely worth checking out, especially if you love queer-coded rock'n'roll.
After waiting for another half an hour, part of the band comes out and we start hearing the familiar tune of "Who Laughs Last?" begin to play. While Kristen Stewart herself doesn't attend, we hear her voice in the playback. Then the lead singer, Ben Schneider, comes out and starts singing through a pay phone, which also functions as a microphone and is a well-known gimmick of the band's aesthetic. Following this up, the songs "Looking Back" and "Bag of Bones" are played in succession, all part of the new album. The night got off to a great start as Ben now addresses the crowd. Promising not to talk too much, he greets the audience and promises them a gig with many songs. The first great hit of theirs being played is "Ends of the Earth" from their first studio album, "Lonesome Dreams". It's a song that invokes the wanderlust in the aching heart of the lonely traveller listening. After this, we get treated to a beautiful rendition of the slow and serene "The Ghost on the Shore", a song that captures the storytelling the band is known for.
Then we get on with "Wait By The River", a poetic plea to an old lover. However, before we go on to the next song, the pay phone starts ringing, and an ominous voice starts speaking, reminding us of the consequences of breaking the cosmic rules. We know the Balancer's Eye is always watching, lest we forget. To anger it would be folly. Then the band starts rocking with "Secret of Life", "Used to Know", and "Ancient Names Part I". Time and time again, the atmosphere keeps building, each song seeming more bombastic than the last. Meanwhile, the beautiful sounds of the various instruments, from cellos, harmonicas, to guitars and drums, keep on going, and everyone keeps on jamming. This comes to a head in "Watch Me Go" and "Long Lost", two of the best performances in the entire set. It's not enough to stress how perfectly crafted the entire production is; it has to be felt, heard, and seen. Lacking Allison Ponthier for the part in "I Lied," the band engages Misty, one of the touring band members, to take up her part. Her voice is divine, her addition hauntingly beautiful.
This pairs well with the next song, which, in a juxtaposition, is the love, or rather yearning, song "La Belle Fleur Sauvage". Once again, serene, divine, and awe-inspiring, this tale of trying to find an ancient beauty in the mountains is perfect. The follow-ups, "Meet Me In The Woods" and a rock version of an otherwise calm and eerie UFO song, "Frozen Pines," keep the spirits up and the crowds entertained. Then, after this, the song everybody knows starts playing. A piece of music that has risen to the top of the charts, becoming one of the most-streamed Spotify hits. Cemented in the Zeitgeist as the heartbreaking anthem of the century, the live version is every bit as haunting as the studio recording. "The Night We Met" is just that song; there is no way around it. You might not know Lord Huron, but you know this song. And for good reason! The audience is now singing, and flashlights illuminate the darkened venue. Everyone can relate to the words; it's a quiet moment of solidarity in an otherwise loud and hectic concert.
After a quick intermission, in which the prominently positioned Cosmic Selector, a mysterious jukebox of interdimensional travel, starts spinning out of control, the band goes in for their last three songs. "The World Ender" is an edgy piece of storytelling about a man seeking revenge. The tagline of "The fair and the brave and the good must die" is iconic for fans, as is the live performance. The single "Nothing I Need" about regret is a bit slow in comparison, yet still remains an absolute banger. "Not Dead Yet" is the last song on the setlist, ironically written by an exhausted Ben after a time of heavy touring and also released during the middle of a worldwide epidemic. Perhaps it seems fitting to close out with this song. With all that has happened and continues to happen, we aren't dead yet. Instead, we stand defiant in the face of so much hardship. Lord Huron always was a form of escapism, a ragtag group of musicians making songs about tales from the cosmos and different universes. We should be considered to be blessed that we exist in the same one as them. If you are able to see them, you should; it's an extraordinary experience. And if you go, don't forget to chant "May you live until you die!"
Want to see Lord Huron live? You can find tickets here!
Want to see more of the concert? Here are all the pictures:
WRITTEN BY
Lars
Being brought up under deaf parents, as a partially hearing child, I have always struggeled with my search of identity. Inspired by far-distant worlds like middle earth and the tunes of Lord Huron, my goal is not only to tell great stories, but also to understand other people and their tales.
PHOTOS BY
Lilly Marie
I am a music photographer with a passion for capturing raw emotions and storytelling through live performances and artist portraits. My work focuses on creating authentic and visually compelling moments that connect artists with their audience.
