Slowdive released one of 2017’s best albums (and quite frankly one of the best albums of the past few years) with the self-titled Slowdive, which was released via Dead Oceans. After a handful of dates in New York the past year (including Terminal 5 last November), they made their return back to New York City to play House of Vans in Greenpoint, Brooklyn on June 30 as part of the venue’s ongoing summer series (which is also serving as its farewell season, RIP).
I’m not sure why or how its possible but it was my first time seeing the band and as soon as they kicked into the first note of the set opener “Slomo” I immediately understand why everyone has been giving the band such high praise all these years. They sounded even better live than they do on their studio album, so I was in a state of total bliss during their stellar 10-song set that featured a huge chunk off of their latest album.
After a breezy first three, the band kicked into “Star Roving” which is definitely one of their more fast-paced songs but sounded even louder and fiercer than I could have ever imagined in a live setting. I think the closest thing I can compare the set to is the other-worldly feeling of experiencing an Explosions In The Sky concert in that there are densely layered loops and delays that transports these songs to another dimension. They truly did put on a clinic of how to not only own the stage but own the entire set from start to finish.
The other thing which we shouldn’t take for granted is just how many recent shows the band has been playing in support of Slowdive. Knowing the band’s history, they could simply vanish for years and not play another show in New York for a long time. Moral of the story? If you get the chance to see them live, don’t hesitate and go – you won’t be sorry.
Find a full setlist of photos from their performance posted in the gallery below, along with the setlist:
Slowdive setlist:
1. Slomo
2. Catch the Breeze
3. Crazy for You
4. Star Roving
5. Souvlaki Space Station
6. No Longer Making Time
7. Alison
8. When the Sun Hits
9. Sugar for the Pill
10. Golden Hair (Syd Barrett cover)
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