This contrasts perfectly with the clear ringing vocals of Ed Droste, making "Cheerleader" an infectious song that glides smoothly along. Live, "Cheerleader" has a more murky and muddled sound, the music almost sounding like a stomp as it plods along.
They played the first few notes of "Cheerleader" the first single of their latest album Veckatimest, as the crowd roared in approval. The band was off to a strong start, both visually and musically, already more focused and solid than their performance this summer at Pitchfork Festival. As the song built speed and crashed at a high point, the mason jars above the band flashed brightly, illuminating them in a soft glow, which complimented the always beautiful lighting set-up at the Metro perfectly. It's a multifaceted and layered track, with a heavy bass beat keeping every part tethered to one another. The Metro stage was adorned with mason jars hanging off of beams that looked like telephone wires, as the band sauntered onto the stage and launched into "Southern Point," a song that I believe Thom Yorke might have wished he wrote for Radiohead. The band have swiftly been winning over audiences with their hushed yet forceful sound ever since their debut release Yellow House, including a large following in Chicago after playing twice at the Pitchfork Music Festival.
Last night the Brooklyn powerhouse known as Grizzly Bear played the first of their two nights of shows at the Metro, captivating a full house of fans with their always lush and mesmerizing music.