Concert recap: The Bravery w/Switches, Your Vegas, and Electric Touch.
I’ve been a fan of The Bravery since their self-titled album dropped in 2005, strangely drawn to their disco beats and synth sound. They definitely helped open the doors to my increasingly acquired taste of “electro-indie” rock. And let’s face it, it makes you want to dance. Or at least nod your head and tap your toes.
I saw The Bravery when they opened for Incubus a few months ago at the Smirnoff Center - in fact, they were the main reason I forked over the cash. Unfortunately, the huge venue ate them up and I was unable to really experience the high octane show I knew they were throwing. So, although my income is lacking nowadays, I decided to go ahead and splurge and experience The Bravery at the Granada Theater.
An ex-coworker, Matt, and I headed to the venue after dinner. We took a few accidental detours, so we actually missed the first band, Austin’s own Electric Touch. I checked their myspace before the show and really dug their song, “Breakdown.” I’ll have to catch them next they hit Dallas.
The next band was from the UK called Your Vegas. Unfortunately, the singer Coyle Girelli was down with the flu. However! The trooper went on with the show anyway! His voice was obvious shot when he spoke in between songs, but wasn’t too bad while singing. I think this held the band back a bit, but it was still a good set. In fact, I just purchased their three song EP, A Town and Two Cities for only 99 cents from iTunes. It’s almost a steal. Since I had only listened to their myspace tunes, I was caught off guard by their ballad, “The Way the War Was Won.” This actually blew me away so I am glad it is part of the EP I bought. (It made me forget how ridiculous their hair was, ha ha.)
The opening acts concluded with Switches, another band from the UK. Before the show, I actually jammed out to their myspace page for an hour. They totally delivered and I really loved the 3- and 4-part harmonies they pulled off. I could tell the crowd, although unfamiliar with their songs, enjoyed it as well as their bobbed up and down more excitedly. I ended up buying their three song EP, Drama Queen, at the show. It was $3 and Thom, their new bassist, signed it. We had a brief talk about Shiner Bock and “when in Rome.” Admittingly, I’m glad he signed it so I won’t forget the grin he had during the show and how much fun they were having. Their full-length album doesn’t drop ’til the end of March, but definitely check out their myspace and listen to “Lay Down the Law” and “Drama Queen.” I have never enjoyed opening acts as much as I did this night and hope to see Your Vegas and Switches do well in the future.
The theater was definitely crammed packed suddenly when The Bravery took stage. As soon as the first song dropped, I was instantly glad that I splurged to attend this show. Definitely worth seeing this band in a smaller venue. They played old favorites, like “Public Service Announcement” and “Swollen Summer” as well as new hits, “Believe” and “Time Won’t Let Me Go.” They announced they were “remixing” a few old songs which I think meant “speed it up and add a bit more rock.” I enjoyed the new versions for “Tyrant” and “The Ocean” though and look forward to the “new” album, “The Sun and Moon Complete.”
All in all, one of the most raw and energetic shows I’ve seen in a long time and definitely worth my $18!
By Magen Roberson, February 9, 2008 @ 11:54 am
Neener - sorry, this isn’t a comment about the Bravery!! I have a question for you about my blog, but I can’t email you. When I do, it kicks it back to me saying message failed. Can you send me your email address? Thanks!
By claire foley, February 23, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
i saw the bravery with your vegas and switches last night at the fillmore at the tla in philly. it was an amazing show, so much energy. i would definitely go see switches and your vegas again, even without the bravery. overall, loved it. can’t complain about being front row either, aha.
By Evan, March 20, 2008 @ 11:18 am
Your Vegas has their own channel on kyte.tv! They have some pretty cool shows on there, all that they produced themselves! Check it out!
http://www.kyte.tv/yourvegas