Hundred Waters are a band I keep missing. I had various chances to see them at CMJ and most recently, SXSW, but we just never made the magic happen. It just so happened that they are touring with Alt-J so it made things possible. Hundred Waters are best described live as delicate beauty. There’s a water-like feeling to them that makes sense since they come from Florida. The mostly electronic band weave in funky jazz elements that give them a sound that is all entirely theirs. The fact that their signed to Skrillex’s OWSLA will never make sense to me, but good for them.
Alt-J are unstoppable right now. Their success and well-earned popularity seems to be growing with every given day that passes. I can’t argue with it. They make music that doesn’t sound like anyone else, and have seemingly been on tour non-stop since they released their album last year. If their terrific show at Bowery Ballroom last September was a pre-game, this was their touchdown. The band have made it big, easily selling out Webster Hall (as well as Terminal 5 on Sunday) and playing their songs to a wide-scope worthy of a place 5x the size.
They kicked off the show the same way An Awesome Wave does, with “Intro”, “(Ripe & Ruin), and “Tesellate.” From there they divluged in the finest fruits from the album as well as “Buffalo” the track they lent to the terrific film Silver Linings Playbook.
Too many great moments to name, but one stood above them all. The awesome actress Tilda Swinton (who was in line in front of me while getting into the venue) could be seen visible rocking out when the band played “Matilda”, not missing the irony at all. It was the type of moment you couldn’t make up. It all makes sense during the given moment.
I’ve been lucky to see Alt-J in two rather intimate settings. It’s a fact that these guys will only blow up more in the next few years, so try and see them now if you can. It’s worth it.
Alt-J:
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Hundred Waters:
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