Explosions in the Sky - The Middle East, Cambridge 3/21/07

Explosions in the Sky
w/Eluvium and The Paper Chase
The Middle East(downstairs) Cambridge, MA
Wednesday, March 21, 2007

For the second time in just a few days I headed off into the night to go check out another show. This time around it was Austin Texas' ownExplosions in the Sky. The band is currently on the road in support of the fantastic All of A Sudden I miss everyone

The band which is four guys are a totally instrumental band. The music is at times quiet and then at other times chaotic and fierce. It is never, ever a dull moment. There are only 2 other bands that make me feel this way when I see them live so its great to be so "blown away" and pleased.

The band took the stage just about 11am and the sell out crowd was ravenous. It ranged from aging hipsters like myself to the younger college crowd. All eager to see/hear this band that has been getting more and more press (all good press too)


Part of the charm of an EITS show is that there is no gaps between the songs. It is like one long track. They might do a quick guitar tune but there is a swirling guitar chord being held so it never gets totally quiet.

During their shows one experiences "moments". You are chilled. You are thrilled, you are entranced. Its just such an auditory orgasm plain and simple. As the song "Memorial" begins its a single guitar but the band continues to swell and swell. It gets louder but not really 'faster'. The band churns as a cohesive unit and then as the final chords are played the band swings their guitars high in the air (like the image) and the downbeat fires thru your chest. It is flat out epic. As the song neared completion and again only the four song of the set I said two things. First, "They could end right now and I wouldn't care", and, two, "How can they follow that up?"

Well they did.

awe·some Show Spelled Pronunciation[aw-suhm]
–adjective
1. inspiring awe: an awesome sight.
2. showing or characterized by awe.
3. Slang. very impressive: That new white convertible is totally awesome.


The biggest issue during the night was the constant barrage of "WHOOOOOOOOOOs". I am all for being excited but it got almost obnoxious.

At one point as a song faded, and I'll admit it was funny at the time, the band was coming off a blistering high and from the side of the room you hear one person yell
"Hooooooooooooooooooooooo-leeeeeeeeeeeee SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!!" It was perfect and summed up what we all felt. The guy should have waved and walked out after that because what followed was a barrage of screamed "THANK YOU!!!!" as they would begin songs. What was once funny got old quick. The people around me would mumble "okay dude enough".

After 60 minutes the band left the stage to a thunderous roar. They are not a band that does "encores" but when they lights and PA music didn't come right up we all got hopeful. Sadly we didn't get it. Munaf Rayani came out and said "we are really tired but we always get chocolates on our rider..so I wanted to share some". He was pretty genuine in his thanks (and if you saw them you'd believe they were wiped out)

If they are coming around you and you can even still get tickets I can't suggest seeing them any stronger. Rest of the tour dates are here.

Their myspsace page is here and you can check out some tracks.

The tour poster for last night looked like this. If they are not sold out you can order them from the artist directly right here. They are $20.00 US and are very limited (less than 100)

First image taken from here. That picture was actually taken by Brad Second taken from here