Got to the gig only to find that the support act, Myrkur, who I was looking forward to seeing even more than Deafheaven, had cancelled. Apparently Amalie Bruun had come down ill. The owners of the venue could have let people know that through their website, but didn't (I checked it that morning before I left home, and I thentravelled a *long* way to be there). So they (the owners) definitely get themselves put into the annoying category.
Deafheaven's bass-player filled in for Myrkur by playing a short set of techno numbers, over which he put vocals. The audience who'd come to see two black-metal bands, proved pretty generous and accommodating to this. The set wasn't very good, and the guy's on-stage movements had something of the Ali-G about them.
I'd heard (and seen footage that suggests) that Deafheaven are boring live, but actually they weren't. They're entirely carried, though, by the energy of their drummer and vocalist - the rest of the band just stand still on stage, manifesting no energy, emotion, or anything. Overall: the experience was ok, but there's room for improvement on all fronts. Amalie - please do get well soon! I'd like to see Myrkur.
Lulo Reinhardt
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