The last two times, actually the only two times I have seen Metric they have played acoustic sets (both of which were part of LIVE105's Not So Slient Night with a few years in between. Coincidence? Maybe...)
Granted, both were really good but I was left wanting more!
Luckily for me Metric played in Oakland between their sets at Coachella. Good thing because it was just about time for me to see them the way they should be seen, fully plugged in and rockin'!
The mood seemed subdued as the band headed into the night with “Artificial Nocturne,” “Youth Without Youth,” and “Speed The Collapse", the same first three songs off of last year's Synthetica. I thought that was kind of surprising seeing as Metric has four other albums worth of material but they didn't have a headlining tour it support of the album last year so it made sense!
Much like the underlying air heard on Synthetica, the stage remained rather ominous during this part of the show being illuminated from time to time with dark hues of reds and blues and an occasional blinding burst of white light.
The mood seemed subdued as the band headed into the night with “Artificial Nocturne,” “Youth Without Youth,” and “Speed The Collapse", the same first three songs off of last year's Synthetica. I thought that was kind of surprising seeing as Metric has four other albums worth of material but they didn't have a headlining tour it support of the album last year so it made sense!
Much like the underlying air heard on Synthetica, the stage remained rather ominous during this part of the show being illuminated from time to time with dark hues of reds and blues and an occasional blinding burst of white light.
Dripping in a cream colored leather tasseled jacket, a shiny silver sequence skirt and her signature goldie-blond locks Emily stayed tucked behind her keyboard for a good first half of the show. Though her look definitely fit the rock role I couldn't help but feel something was off with the leading lady.
Was it the lack of enthusiasm from the Oakland crowd?
Maybe Metric didn't get the memo that crossed arms in the crowd at a show in The Bay Area is the norm?
Maybe I just expected more energy on stage.
Yes, I was enjoying my self yet I couldn't stop wondering if Emily was enjoying herself which I got to say did take away from fully enjoying the show.
After four songs off of Synthetica Metric turned things up a notch, diving right into catalog track "Empty" giving guitarist James a chance to shine in the spotlight as he shredded the song's guitar solo. Continuing their catalog trend "Help I'm Alive" saw fans come to life a little bit more. Emily's stage presence however, still seemed sort of phoned in, even as she sashayed around the stage.
Then, finally, Emily clued the crowd in about what was on her mind, an issue more and more artists are becoming more vocal about...cell phones at shows.
In a melodramatic fashion she ranted about how cell phone cameras have changed how performers perform and that it's hard as a performer to say what's on your mind for fear of what is said being taken out of context.
I can understand this frustration but only to a point. Scolding paying fans "face to face"when touring is music's money maker seems unfair. If you don't want to see screens at your shows then ban cell phones.
The show moved on with less hands holding up phones during "Synthetica", "Clone", "Breathing Underwater" , "Sick Muse" and "Dead Disco".
I was ok with the fact that the night ended on an acoustic note with nothing more than an acoustic guitar and heartfelt vocals for "Gimme Shelter".
Thursday night's sold out show at The Fox Theater filled my electric Metric void!
Set List
Artificial Nocturne
Youth Without Youth
Speed the Collapse
Dreams So Real
Empty
Help I’m Alive
Synthetica
Clone
Breathing Underwater
Sick Muse
Dead Disco
Encore:
Black Sheep
Monster Hospital
Gold Guns Girls
Gimme Sympathy (Acoustic)
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