Concert Review: Beach House at Fillmore Miami

Last night at the Fillmore Miami, Beach House came through with the Bloom tour in spectacular fashion.  A sizeable crowd watched earnestly as Victoria, Alex, and a younger looking drummer trooped onto the stage and launched right into new track ”Troublemaker.”  Heavy organ chords rumbled through the theater as Legrand’s booming voice roared out “To simply call you troublemaker, watch you unravel, tearing everything apart” over crashing cymbals and Alex’s quick and beautiful strumming.

They quickly launched into one of my favorites, “Other People” a poppy gem off the new album.  From the first two songs on it was obvious many in the audience had not heard Bloom enough to be completely familiar with the album; however that did not stop many from swaying and losing themselves in the swirling atmosphere.  The first Teen Dream tracks appeared next, as “Norway” and “Walk in the Park” followed each other.  Each sounded luscious and vibrant, full of spectacle and energy. 

For parts of the show, a giant screen lit up behind the band with stars flashing against a black background.  Other times, no lights appeared on stage, except for one backlighting the group, making halo’s of their hair.  And what hair Victoria has, an essential part of any Beach House performance.  Whether it lays serenely hiding across her face, or thrashing about during explosive moments, it is difficult to look away. Her hands also flit across the organ rapidly and precisely, while her fingers luxuriously caress the keys unlike anyone I’ve ever seen. Alex spent much of his time playing in the highest of frets, furiously strumming those crystalline lines that fill so many Beach House songs, all the while bobbing his head and body constantly in time. 

This was the third time I’ve seen Beach House, and at the first show (Devotion era) the drummer did nothing more than act as a drum machine.  Last night a different person sat on the stool and added a huge dose of bold sound to the band.  Using the cymbals and Toms effectively, he created a swirling, murky element to the atmosphere, and at times helped the sound explode and crash unlike on record.  The best example came during the only Devotion or Beach House song played last night and first encore track “Turtle Island.” On record a lovely number that bounces along came alive as the band expanded their sound gradually, until it swelled and enraptured the entire room.  I’d never imagined hearing that song sound like it did, and it was glorious.  They followed with “10 mile stereo” and finally closed their set with Bloom final track “Irene.” Each sounded grander than the last, until they finally stepped off the stage to thunderous and well-deserved applause. 

Other highlights include a truncated version of “Take Care,” a wonderful 4 minutes where I felt completely warm and safe, wrapped up in Victoria’s promise “I’ll Take Care of you, If You Ask Me To.” My personal favorite was probably “The Hours,” as each word rhyming with hours was given extra vocal attention, the Rrr’s just hanging in the air, mixing in with all the other textured sound to create a sublime experience.  Beach House will be touring all summer and probably in a city near you! (except Iowa)

Setlist:
Troublemaker
Other People
Norway
Walk in the Park
Wild
Lazuli
Silver Soul
Equal Mind
The Hours
New Year
Zebra
Wishes
Take Care
Myth
Encore:
Turtle Island
10 Mile Stereo
Irene

Beach House 2012 Tour Dates:

05/04 – Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theatre
05/05 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
05/06 – Charleston, SC @ Music Farm
05/08 – Miami Beach, FL @ The Fillmore
05/09 – Orlando, FL @ Beacham Theater
05/10 – Jacksonville, FL @ Freebird Live
05/11 – Birmingham, AL @ The Bottletree
05/12 – Athens, GA @ Georgia Theatre
05/13 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
05/15 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
05/23 – Brighton, UK @ The Haunt
05/24 – London, UK @ Village Underground
05/25 – Belgium, BE @ De Kreun
05/26 – Amsterdam, NL @ Melkweg
05/27 – Berlin, DE @ Volksbuhne
05/29 – Paris, FR @ Maronguinerie
05/31 – Dudingen, CH @ Bad Bonn Kilbi Festival
06/02 – Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound

06/03 – Montpellier, FR @ Le Rockstore
06/04 – Bordeaux, FR @ Theatre Barby
06/05 – Nantes, FR @ Stereolux
06/06 – Lyon, FR @ Epicrerie Moderne
06/07 – Blarritz, FR @ L’Atabal
06/08-09 – Porto, PT @ Optimus Primavera Sound

07/01 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues *
07/03 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre *
07/06 – Aspen, CO @ Belly Up Aspen *
07/07 - Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater *
07/09 – Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom *
07/10 – Lawrence, KS @ Liberty Hall *
07/11 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant *
07/12 – Memphis, TN @ Minglewood Hall *
07/13 - Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival

07/15 – Chicago, IL @ Pitchfork Music Festival

07/17 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue *
07/18 – Pontiac, MI @ The Crofoot Ballroom *
07/19 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues *
07/20 – Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall *
07/21 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Small’s Theatre *
07/23 – New York, NY @ Central Park Summer Stage
08/31-09/02 – North Dorset, UK @ End of the Road Festival