Liturgy
As the week of Shea's third anniversary draws to a close and the fourth annual SummerJam is now behind us, it seems logical to sign off the holiday non-weekend with a legendary performance from last year's Independence Day. These tracks are among the best in the archives-- a landmark performance from a band at their apex, operating with machine-like precision at maximum efficiency. Battling indoor temperatures of well over 100 degrees, the band didn't seem to break a sweat as they tore through the majority of their album Aesthetica with unparalleled focus. A particularly mesmerized capacity crowd, partly from heat exhaustion, looked on in quiet amazement-- almost as if the relentless, grinding rhythms of "Generation" and "Veins of God" had them completely hypnotized. Although the band has since entered a new phase in its existence (this was one of the last with SummerJam curator Greg Fox behind the kit) these tracks will permanently solidify this band's place giving one of the most memorable performances in Shea's history. -AR
Kria Brekkan/Enchanted Armor
The first installment of our "better late than never" series, this previously unavailable performance has been one of the most consistently requested shows in our archives to date. On this hazy Labor Day Monday last September, Kria scored an appropriate soundtrack for the unofficial change of seasons. This is unquestionably transition music-- an in-between aural atmosphere that somehow manages to juxtapose ancient folk music of the deep past with the static, unknown emptiness of the distant future. The layers of her cascading soundscapes seem to have as much in common aesthetically with the Planet Earth as they do of parts unknown, much like the vast unpopulated landscapes of her native Iceland. This sounds like the other side of summer-- the side that can segue all too quickly to a darker, colder time of year. And although we never want that time to come too soon, we're happy this music is here to stay. (Note: Immediately fowling her solo set, Kria was joined by the Larson sisters (of Prince Rama) who, under the moniker Enchanted Armor, jammed deep like true freaks coalescing to form the ultimate bonus track to this performance. Check it out here.) - AR
Gary War
Gary War's show in December 2011 is definitely one of the most physically affecting shows I've been present for at Shea. This set was LOUD. Not unecessary so, mind you. Gary War's tunes have a presence of overwhelming darkness that work best when pushing the dBs. You want the swirling guitar and vocals to pierce through you, the sounds of things that rest on the edges of your consciousness times a million. Gary War returns to Shea on 5/25 with Amen Dunes, Highlife & Woodsman -- until then, set your sound system to 11 and prepare for oblivion. - LC
Future Islands
In the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love. And also Future Islands. This is a band just tailor-made for dark and sweaty nights on the dancefloor. And though Gerrit Welmers and William Cashion are laying down the grooves on keys and bass respectively, Sam Herring is there to remind you that sometimes dancing is sad. Future Islands seem to bring to the forefront those emotions that underlie every dance party -- that the people there are dancing to forget, and like shamen we believe the rhythmic movement might excise the demons within us. July 4th 2010 was one of these nights, and Future Islands closed it out with a performance that was surely impressed upon the memories of all those present.