What a better way to head towards the finish line of the epic marathon that is CMJ than with the NYC live return of beloved British shoe-gaze rockers Slowdive? Add on an opening set from Low, and you had one of the best bills that you would find during the entire CMJ festival. The epic double bill went down at Terminal 5 on Saturday October 25, for a truly unforgettable live experience.
Low warmed us up with an intimate performance that still found a way to warm up the packed Terminal 5 crowd. Their 10-song set was a nice taste of what seeing a full show from the Minnesota three-piece must be like, but I can imagine a regular show from them at a tiny club must really be something special. I’ll have to make that happen sometime soon.
After 20 years in the dark, Slowdive fans across the world exploded with joy when the group announced that they would make their live return. Terminal 5 still seems like a bit of an odd choice for Slowdive’s first show here in many years, but hey, I guess you can’t complain. The group played a stunning 15-song set of lovely fuzz-led shoegaze that took my mind somewhere else. Rachel Goswell and Neil Halstead took turns on vocals, delivering the flurry of greatest hits with concentrated grace. During the opening self-titled track, Goswell couldn’t help but smile as the passionate crowd cheered at heavy volumes, ecstatic to see their return.
Getting to see Slowdive live was an amazing journey, one that I never thought I would get. Towards the end of the show, the group hinted at another return of some sort, which means that the return of Slowdive should continue on. They may not be a new band, but the future is looking pretty bright.
Photos and setlist posted below.
Slowdive Setlist:
1. Slowdive
2. Avalyn
3. Catch the Breeze
4. Crazy for You
5. Machine Gun
6. Souvlaki Space Station
7. Blue Skied an’ Clear
8. Albatross
9. When the Sun Hits
10. She Calls
11. Dagger
12. Alison
13. Golden Hair
Encore:
14. Rutti
15. 40 Days
Slowdive:
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1. No Comprende
2. Plastic Cup
3. On My Own
4. Holy Ghost
5. Murderer
6. Last Snowstorm of the Year
7. Laser Beam
8. Especially Me
9. High + Right
10. Landslide
Low:
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