Finally out of our turkey hangovers, we’re catching up on our live-concert coverage after the holiday.—Ed.
When Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller of Sleigh Bells took the stage at the 9:30 Club, they were not alone. Along with the tightly packed, sold-out crowd of DC music-goers they drew in off the unseasonably cold streets that night, this Brooklyn, New York-based powerhouse duo came to the club ready to rock, complete with drummer Chris Maggio and guitar player Ryan Primack.
The addition of having a full live band on the road with them not only brought a fuller and more rich sound to their set, it brought the energy level of the club to extraordinary heights. I had never seen Sleigh Bells play with a full band before, and I have to say, their set was quite amazing and a completely different animal from their recordings.
Krauss has enough stage presence and exuberance on her own on to project her vocals right through anyone standing within a few city blocks of her. Sleigh Bells puts on a great live show even with electronic drums and queued computer tracks. Krauss is certainly enough of a performer to get through to her audience no matter what the stage situation is, but somehow seeing her play with a full live band magnifies all of her efforts and takes her to this quasi-Mick-Jagger/Robert-Plant-like state, at least in my mind.
The live-formula for this tour certainly makes apparent her relentless energy and her talent as a front-woman. Sleigh Bells shook the walls of the club that night, and Krauss stuck out like a true noise-rock goddess leaving the crowd wanting even more. I left this show blown away.
Sleigh Bells’ new full-length album is available on vinyl + digital download. Doldrums from Montreal had the honor of being the night’s opener.
SLEIGH BELLS SET LIST:
Minnie
Comeback Kid
Tiger Kit
Crown on the Ground
Bitter Rivals
Love Sick
True Shred Guitar
Kids
Demons
Born to Lose
You Don’t Get Me Twice
Riot Rhythm
Infinity Guitars
Young Legends
Sing Like a Wire
A/B Machines
DOLDRUMS
