Touring to support their seventh studio album, Do to the Beast, the Afghan Whigs performed at the 9:30 Club last Wednesday to a sold out and eager crowd.
In usual style, the Whigs performed nearly every minute of the show in almost complete darkness. Without the occasional prom style laser and twirling blue lights, I don’t think you could have seen the band at all. Thanks to the infrequent blue or yellow spotlight thrown from behind the stage, I did manage to grab a couple of photos of the band. I suppose these images serve as photographic proof that the Afghan Whigs were indeed present at the 9:30 Club and in fact did not send stunt doubles into the darkness to play for Washington, DC.
Despite the extreme mood lighting, the Whigs delivered a rock solid performance and played a mix of classic favorites along with newer material. I have long been a believer that Afghan Whigs are a great live band and Wednesday’s show confirmed it once again—in fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard them sound so damn good. The heavy, gritty guitar sound the Whigs’ produce live is an entirely different animal from their recorded material. Sailing right into the new track “Parked Outside” as they took the stage, the Whigs’ showed they were at the club to rock. It was the perfect introduction to a great night of music.
I am a big fan of their new album and I think it’s some of the Afghan Whigs’ best work to date, depicting their versatility as musicians and is a rocking, classic.
One of the show most memorable moments of Wednesday’s performance was when vocalist / rhythm guitarist Greg Dulli stopped in mid-song to ask an audience member to be quiet. Dulli simply said “I’ll be quiet while you guys finish your talk,” following with “I’ll be quiet while you do your thing if you‘ll be quiet while I do mine.” He then insisted that the talkers move to the back of the venue. I love a good concert scolding from performers—they’re always so damn entertaining.
Joseph Author was the night’a opening act. Armed with a Fender Twin Reverb amp, a pedal board, and two vintage telecasters (complete with doodles of his artwork drawn on them), Joseph took the stage and served up a multi-instrumental blend of sounds and effects via his looping effects station and harmonica. He even took the time to complete a nice little painting in front of the audience.
AFGHAN WHIGS
JOSEPH ARTHUR
