Friday night: 2/3 M83, 1/3 pouting on 11th St.

Posted by tmushett , Nov, 2008 @ 1:18 pm

M83 takes their name from Messier 83, a spiral galaxy in the constellation Hydra, and the name is perfect match for their brand of tripped-out cosmic shoegaze. Last Friday, I dug the hell out of the first two-thirds of their set in NYC before I crashed headlong into Webster Hall’s no readmittance policy (who would’ve guessed a ticket and a wristband weren’t sufficient evidence I wasn’t trying to scam them?), and while I allegedly missed them playing some cool unreleased material, I had managed to see them play most of my favorites.

The surprise of the night (aside from finding myself stuck outside the venue, alone and cranky in the East Village) was how neatly M83’s eerie electro translates live. The presence of a live drummer tethers the band’s occasional tendency to float off into Enya-esque airiness and the stage seems to give them a bit more of a rock & roll edge than their albums would lead you to expect. Tour dates are below, and if you go, give me the play-by-play on the new material. I bet the set ends with fireworks, puppies, and a special guest appearance by Thurston Moore in which he sings a special song mocking stupid idiots who get themselves accidentally locked out of shows.

Also, while we’re talking M83, check out Pitchfork for info on their “We Own the Sky” video contest. If you’re of the cinematic persuasion, you can submit a video for the song that some (namely me) consider the best track on Saturdays=Youth. Frontman Anthony Gonzalez will choose his favorite vid early next year.

M83 & School of Seven Bells – 2008 Tour Dates [via Brooklyn Vegan]:
11/18 Boston, MA @ Middle East Downstairs
11/19 Montreal, QC @ Studio Juste Pour Rire
11/20 Toronto, ON @ Opera House
11/21 Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
11/22 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club
11/25 Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s
11/26 Vancouver, BC @ Richards On Richards
11/27 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
11/28 San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
11/29 Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theater

Tags: Concerts, M83, Thurston Moore, Tour Dates