Everything is cool people, nothing to fear, just go about your business. Broadcast are back in true form, only better. The stage is set once again with the best and most mesmerizing of light/film visuals against the backdrop. Scenes of old 60's animation, science, sparkling supernovas, and kaleidoscopes aplenty. The bonus this time around is Trish Keenan on guitar, she can really play! Like a noisy, vibrato, fuzzed-out sonic bliss (Cheers Tim!). She plucks every note with ease while effortlessly caressing the crowd with space-age lullabies from albums past and present.
How's the new lineup you ask? Their drummer is awesome and sharp. The new keyboard/synth/guitar bloke, we'll call him that for now, plays as tight as if he were an original member. James Cargill switches between keyboards and his trademark bass-thumping that signifies old favorites like "Pendulum"(the set opener), "Come On Let's Go", "Illumination", and "Ominous Cloud". But the real payoff is the new material. If Tender Buttons didn't convince you that they were leaving the psychedelic fantasy world and jumping straight into the futuristic unknown their live set will. They were confident, positive, and loose like every great band should be. Songs like "America's Boy", "Michael A Grammar" and "The Black Cat" knock you on your sweet arse. They know they're on to something big, something forward-thinking and special. If you loved them last time around you'll be very happy. It's fun to watch a band at top of their game and the crowd noticed. I almost forgot, they finally made some sick t-shirts that don't look like their album covers. Hit the ATM before you arrive and you'll leave with a smile.
Broadcast come around again on November 21st at The Troubadour, and the tour ends there. Don't blow it.