Last night The Antlers returned home to New York City for a sold out show at Webster Hall that wrapped up their Familiars tour.
Mr. Twin Sister (formerly Twin Sister) opened the show, although I wasn’t able to get there in time for their set (they’ll be playing at Baby’s All Right on October 4 – tickets are available here).
There’s a dreary sadness to The Antlers music, no doubt. But buried beneath the dark layers of emotion are beacons of hopefulness. This isn’t an easy thing to do, but The Antlers make it seem second nature.
While they are normally a 3-piece, they stretch out to a quartet on stage, giving them a well rounded boost to make their sound as rich as possible. The charge is lead by vocalist Peter Silberman, whose vocals have a transportive power, reaching high notes that are seemingly endless and improbable. The highlight of the night came during the end of “I Don’t Want Love” where he carried the note to incredible lengths, that left the previously hushed crowd cheering in amazement. It was the culmination of a band with a sets worth of moments just as wondrous.
Whether it’s listening to their records in the dark of your room, or experiencing their power live, The Antlers are always a special experience. They always find a way to hit that right note and connect with you in a special, personal way. It’s vital, and emotive. You reflect and inspect within yourself, lost in a world not entirely of your own. It’s a special thing, especially in today’s fast paced assembly line world of music.
When a band like The Antlers are around, you do your best to listen.
Photos:
Join the conversation