Alcest -- Chicago, IL -- April 24th, 2010

[DethMaiden]

I don't feel like typing the accents, so here's some anglicized French for the setlist:

Printemps Emeraude
Les Iris
Solar Song
Ecailles de Lune - Part 1
Sur L'Ocean Couleur de Fer
Souvenirs d'un Autre Monde
Percees de Lumiere
--
Elevation

In a word, amazing. In a few more, this was easily the best set of the year so far. At times the beauty was paralyzing, somehow Neige (along with new full-time member Winterhalter on drums and two stand-in members on bass and the other guitar) managed to transport us to the dreamworld that he sings about. When "Printemps Emeraude" kicked in, we left Chicago and went to his world of childhood innocence and great, green pastures, not to return to Earth until the set was over. I could not wipe the shit-eating grin off of my face the entire time they were playing; it was that magnificent.

Highlights were as soon as the electric riff kicked in on "Printemps Emeraude," the knowing smile on Neige's face when he strummed the clean intro to "Ecailles de Lune" and the crowd erupted in anticipatory applause, the entirety of the unspeakably beautiful "Sur l'Ocean Coeleur de Fer," which Neige and Zero played and sang from chairs, and the last two songs where Neige reminded everyone that he can still do black metal vocals, too.

Openers were Chicago acts Velnias and Clad in Darkness. Both were really great and played slightly different interpretations of post-rock/black metal in the vein of Wolves in the Throne Room. Check them out.

But yeah, last night was all about Alcest.

[Chyck]

Originally Posted by DethMaiden

Percees de Lumiere

I know it's completely inappropriate for Alcest's music and your description, but.... SQUEE!!!!!

And they actually made it into the country... SQUEE!!!!!!!

[es156]

Where was this at? Reggie's?

[DethMaiden]

Originally Posted by es156

Where was this at? Reggie's?

Yeah, Reggie's, which I have to say is one of my favorite venues I've ever been to. The atmosphere was absolutely perfect for a small-to-medium-sized metal show. And it's only a block away from Chinatown so we got some awesome authentic Mandarin before the show.

[MPF]

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU


WHY DID I MISS THIS???

[jotun2graveland]

Ugh! Why couldn't Alcest come anywhere remotely close to the west coast...? I'm just glad that I was fortunate to see Agalloch last year, seeing as they too don't play shows often.

[idrinkwine732]

Originally Posted by jotun2graveland

Ugh! Why couldn't Alcest come anywhere remotely close to the west coast...? I'm just glad that I was fortunate to see Agalloch last year, seeing as they too don't play shows often.

Don't fucking complain then, I've wanted to see them for so long.

[jotun2graveland]

Originally Posted by idrinkwine732

Don't fucking complain then, I've wanted to see them for so long.

If you're referring to Agalloch, there's definitely a possibility that they could play a show in SF or LA within the next two years. John said that they were in the midst of a new album. They don't play much, because the band members have jobs outside of music. But it wouldn't surprise me too much if they added some west coast dates (outside of Portland) when they release their next album, since they've become rather popular in the states.

[JuuKun]

I wish Agalloch would do some east coast shows but we're lucky to be getting Alcest, so it's fair enough. Fairly excited for next Saturday's show, now.

It would be awesome to see Agalloch, though.

[idrinkwine732]

Originally Posted by jotun2graveland

If you're referring to Agalloch, there's definitely a possibility that they could play a show in SF or LA within the next two years. John said that they were in the midst of a new album. They don't play much, because the band members have jobs outside of music. But it wouldn't surprise me too much if they added some west coast dates (outside of Portland) when they release their next album, since they've become rather popular in the states.

I'll be out of California in about a year, and would easily make the drive down to LA for one of their shows.