MOG

Just got back from the EITS show the other day, and this is the first chance I’ve had to post about it. If you’re not familiar with Explosions in the Sky, let me just say you’re missing out on some of the most incredible instrumental rock that has ever been created. If you are familiar with them, then most likely you’ve already become a fan—their music is that amazing. Well, I was able to see them in St. Augustine on Monday night, and if I had to sum the whole experience up into one word, it could only be “OHMYFREAKINGAWD!!!”

But let me calm down . . . the music was incredible. The band was supported by two opening acts. First, a local band called Monitor. They were very, very good. Instrumental, sort of a EITS-meets-Don Caballero sort of feel to it. A pleasant surprise and I hope to hear more about them. After Monitor, the next “band” was Elluvium. The word band is sort of a misnomer here, because Elluvium is really one person who, through a series of effects and loops, takes his keyboard and guitar and creates textures. Some were beautiful and haunting, some were ear-splitting and shrieking. Very good, interesting, but didn’t always work with the crowd.

Finally, EITS came on. Their playing was incredible. Every bit as passionate as on the album, plus you get the bonus of watching them completely enjoy playing the music. They were alternating between up on their feet, swaying and rocking back and forth, kneeling down, leaning over, burying their faces in the ground . . . it sounds kind of strange, but really it was cool to see people who so obviously enjoying their music so much they were unashamed to completely immerse themselves in what they were creating onstage. They played tunes from the new album, but also managed to sneak in quite a few older songs as well, until they finished with my personal favorite, “The Only Moment We Were Alone” off of The Earth is Not a Cold, Dead Place,. That song completely mesmerized everybody in the audience until its final wailing notes, where they entire crowd jumped and started to shout and scream for more (the only time, by the way, I’ve ever seen a band unwilling to play an encore). This was the most spontaneous and heartfelt standing ovation I’ve ever seen.

The venue itself was great. It was in an old museum, there were chairs for people to sit down, and it was obvious this was not a show meant to incite cries of “Freebird!” or hootin’ and hollerin’. It was very . . . pleasant!! People sat down and actually LISTENED to the music. When the band got quiet, there were moments the entire venue was dead silent. You just don’t get stuff like that nowadays!

I’m telling you guys this right now—if EITS come anywhere near you, GO SEE THIS SHOW. All music lovers owe it to themselves to check these guys out.