Photos: ODESZA w/Sylvan Esso & ford. @ Climate Pledge Arena

Posted on by

ODESZA w/Sylvan Esso & ford. @ Climate Pledge Arena – 7/30/22
Photos by Rachel Crick

ODESZA’s Harrison Mills – photo by Rachel Crick

At the end of July, ODESZA performed THREE sold-out shows at Climate Pledge Arena (that’s a huuuuuuge venue in Seattle). Congratulations to them for getting such a hot and deserved welcome in their home area. The duo of Harrison Mills (Catacombkid) and Clayton Knight (BeachesBeaches) originally come from Bellingham, Washington, and they’ve released four smashing albums – with the first self-released – and following three albums on Ninja Tunes no less. After a hiatus mostly due to the pandemic and an additional project called Bronson, they returned as ODESZA at the end of July with The Last Goodbye, where the pair again produced their own work. Beautiful! Sylvan Esso and ford. opened the night’s festivities, and then came the literal fire!

Odesza – photos by Rachel Crick

Sylvan Esso – photos by Rachel Crick

Odesza – photos by Rachel Crick

ford. – photo by Rachel Crick

Odesza – photos by Rachel Crick

Sylvan Esso – photos by Rachel Crick

ford. – photos by Rachel Crick

Photos: Machine Gun Kelly @ Climate Change Arena

Posted on by

Rocker Machine Gun Kelly made his grand entrance into Climate Change Arena on a helicopter hanging from the rafters. His “Mainstream Sellout Tour” performed in Seattle midway through the 52-city run.  MGK’s high energy backing band was exceptional, with standout Sophie Lloyd on guitar.  Avril Lavigne and WILLOW opened.

Machine Gun Kelly – photos by Kirk Stauffer

Photos: Tori Amos w/ Companion @ the Paramount

Posted on by

Tori Amos w/ Companion @ the Paramount – 6/5
Photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Tori Amos – photo by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Tori Amos is one of our favorite artists to feature on Back Beat Seattle, so we’re thrilled she returned to Seattle for a headlining show at the Paramount Theatre. Amos just completed the Ocean to Ocean Tour in mid-June, but not before making a stop to make all Amos fans happy here in Seattle, where she brought duo Companion with her as openers. And fans: this graphic novel she has coming out called looks fantastic, while her newest album, Ocean to Ocean, has gotten mighty excellent reviews. Thank you, Amos, for all of your unique trailblazing.

Tori Amos – photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Companion – all photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Tori Amos Marquee – photo by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Show Review & Photos: Bauhaus w/ Soriah @ the Paramount

Posted on by

Bauhaus w/ Soriah @ the Paramount – 5/19/22
Show Review & Photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Bauhaus‘ Peter Murphy – photo by Lisa Hagen Glynn

British goth pioneers Bauhaus stopped in Seattle on their first tour together in 16 years. The show featured all four original members: Peter Murphy (vocals), Daniel Ash (guitar), David J (bass), and Kevin Haskins (drums).

The rapid-fire set included 12 Bauhaus classics and 4 covers. Unexpectedly, they excluded “Drink the Sweet Wine,” which was recorded during the pandemic using the surrealist “exquisite corpse” approach. Bauhaus sounded strong, and the energy in the room was palpable.

Murphy’s dramatic flair punctuated the set. He wore a feathered cape, brandished a scepter, mimicked crucifixion with a mic stand, and showered the stage with gifted rose petals. 

The band wore dark glam stylings—Ash with spiked hair and a sequined tailcoat, and the Haskins brothers in fitted black and sunglasses. Adding to the mood were severe lighting and plenty of fog.

The audience had the feel of a gothic family reunion, with a mix of original-era aficionados and a younger crowd. Fans in black crowded the aisles to film, dance, and sing along.

Portland artist Soriah (Enrique Ugalde) provided an eerie start to the evening. He blended Tuvan throat-singing with deep drumming, electronics, and a skull-laden stone whistle. A longtime Bauhaus fan, Ugalde said the performance was the greatest honor of his life.

Bauhaus recently took an unplanned pause in their tour due to non-COVID illness . They play several dates in Europe this summer, and then return to North America in September.

—

Note: BBS also reviewed Peter Murphy and David J’s 2019 show at the Moore Theatre, with Mark Gemini Thwaite (guitar) and Marc Slutsky (drums).

Bauhaus – photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Soriah – all photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Bauhaus Set List & Marquee – photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Photos: Lee Rogers @ the Neptune

Posted on by

Lee Rogers @ the Neptune – 5/27/22
Photos by Rachel Crick

Lee Rogers – photo by Rachel Crick

Lee Rogers wrapped up a string of dates opening for Foy Vance, including a show at Seattle’s Neptune Theatre on May 27th. The singer-songwriter from Northern Ireland worked on his latest album, Gameblood, with fellow Northern Irishman Gareth Dunlop as producer, plus he’s got two soundtracks under his belt. Rogers recently revealed “My dad was a second generation settled Gypsy. . . With black hair, swarthy-skinned, and green eyes (like me). He had gold hoop earrings and old Indian-inked tattoos. He was as hard as the road he walked on but had the softest heart for us and my mother, who he loved unconditionally. He had a fighting spirit, and that’s what I believe ‘Gameblood’ means. That’s where this album’s name comes from.” That’s awesome. You can check out the album and Rogers’ gorgeous swarthy voice in several formats here .

Lee Rogers – photos by Rachel Crick