• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • BOSTON BETTER BEER BUREAU
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • ABOUT
    • MASTHEAD
    • ADVERTISE
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

FOTOBOM: METRIC + JOYWAVE @ THE ORPHEUM, 3/17

Written by SCOTT MURRY Posted March 23, 2016 Filed Under: Fotobom

Metric_ScottMurry
Photos by Scott Murry

 

Touring their Fall 2015 release Pagans In Vegas, Metric began a lush set at the Orpheum in Boston chronologically with “IOU.” It’s the first track from their debut album Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? It was a grand representation of where these Canadians are—starting off with the chunky riffed track while blanketed by smoke and sharp lights, the dichotomy of the moment shows their electronic trajectory. Giant bulbs formed two bright triangle structures behind the band. The geometric focal points were mimicked in the band’s stage positioning along with blasting white strobes. It presented a clean, modernist visual exemplifying Bauhaus design aesthetics for an austere yet mystifying presence.

 

Through their six studio albums, synth pop elements have progressively fallen into place leaving new wave rock roots in hindsight. This comes as no surprise given lead Emily Haines’ upbringing. With a creatively experimental past, it’s engrained in her process, and it’s been a part of the band’s entire mission statement to create freely. This doesn’t mean they’ll soon turn into all 8-bit band. Just before launching into “Dreams So Real” from 2012’s Synthetica Haines invited what she referred to as a “Boston Choir” onstage saying, “The soul gets crushed by reality. I need human interaction.” Gripping a golden mic and dressed in all black leather, she appeared as a musical messiah to the group. The song wrapped up with the audience in full on “awwwww” mode as Haines sweetly encouraged a shy young fan to hold her hand and belt out the final notes.

 

Fuzzy keyboards took center stage with her as well throughout the evening—serving as a home base for Haines to dance back and forth whenever deep beats and effects were integrated. The prominently displayed keys served as an extension of where they’re at as a band not afraid to push into new territory. Haines encouraged everyone to embrace their individualism throughout the night, guiding good vibes with her powerful stage presence. Being the last night of their tour titled “I Can See The End,” hopefully it doesn’t foreshadow a band split.

 

Openers Joywave began the night powerfully for the electronic mentors. With big, black letters repeating the word “destruction” loudly on their orange background, I anticipated hearing morose tunes akin to Joy Division. Their lead singer, however, did not appear as an Ian Curtis reincarnate—Daniel Armbruster instead commanded the stage with a playful ego that a group of young girls fawned over from stage side. The electro-indie poppers have garnered a devoted following in the freshman year of releasing their debut LP How Do You Feel Now? with good reason. Performing with cocky enthusiasm, Armbruster introduced “Somebody New” saying, “This next song is a great song. Some call it the greatest song ever written.” As they serenaded across the stage, bass player Sean Donnelly carried his own torch, bashing rhythms out as if he were in an 80s hardcore band. They were familiar yet unique with beats that are trapped in my head.

 

 

Author profile
SCOTT MURRY

Filed Under: Fotobom Tagged With: Boston, Joywave, Metric, Orpheum, Scott Murry

WHAT’S NEW

Boston University. Photographed by Janice Checchio for Boston University Photography. Used with permission.

BU Vows to Protect Reproductive Healthcare

State Wire: Last Decade Has Seen Too Many Methane Gas Leaks

State Wire: Last Decade Has Seen Too Many Methane Gas Leaks

Abortion rights protestors in Copley Square, Boston, the evening of the SCOTUS decision to strike down Roe v. Wade. Photo by Charlotte Howard. Photo by Charlotte Howard

Protestors Gather in Copley Square to Fight for Abortion Rights

Why This Pit Kid Is Not Going to ‘Pit-A-Palooza’

Why This Pit Kid Is Not Going to ‘Pit-A-Palooza’

Reader Responses: "Unruly, Argumentative Governor's Council ..."

Reader Responses: “Unruly, Argumentative Governor’s Council …”

Inbox: Legislation To Protect Vote for Eligible Incarcerated Voters on Baker’s Desk

Inbox: Legislation To Protect Vote for Eligible Incarcerated Voters on Baker’s Desk

Primary Sidebar

Advertisement

FEATURED EVENT

Advertisement

Most Popular

  • Dig This: The Return Of the Boston Seafood Festival
  • No Smoking, No Thank You. Advocates Decry Cannabis Social Consumption Rules in Mass
  • Meet the Phantom Behind Greater Boston’s Awesome Food Feed Everybody Gotta Eat
  • Dig This: The Hot Dog Safari Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
  • Why This Pit Kid Is Not Going to ‘Pit-A-Palooza’

Footer

Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]