Beach House, Auckland NZ, 2019

Beach House

11th March 2019
The Town Hall, Auckland, New Zealand.

Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Doug Peters.

There is a sense of tranquillity in the feeling of something familiar, a tether to the past, a sense of safety, a point in time where you felt whole. Baltimore duo Beach House are masters of creating this very feeling, their live performances perfectly capturing the sound and atmosphere created within their records, which in turn provides this sense of familiarity. It has been a point noted by several critics and for good reason.

Because with many bands, the live experience is always a little more impromptu, ad-libbed lyrics, mid-song jam sessions and extended solos all par for the course. But Beach House music is something that one immerses themselves in, letting the intricate melodies meld and shape the path before you, Legrand’s voice like a velvet cocoon that encases the physical form while the soul takes flight.

The last show of Beach House’s tour found the duo within the ornate walls of Aucklands Town Hall last night, both the historical aspect and aesthetics of the building itself a rather apt choice for a performance such as theirs. Sans support act, as frankly none was needed, Beach House quietly slipped onto a stage bathed in blue, clouds of smoke blooming like the first flowers of spring around them. Joined by their exceptional touring drummer James Barone, Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand gently took the audiences hand and led them into the darkness where they opened doors to their own past, guiding them through work from Depression Cherry (Levitation), Bloom (Lazuli) and Teen Dream (Walk in the Park) before introducing them to one of their latest creations in the form of the weighty yet joyous ‘Dark Spring’ from their seventh album aptly entitled ‘7’.

Accompanying this musical expedition were indiscernible, flickering shapes on the large screen behind the trio, which provided the illusion of movement, this imagery soon giving way to the twinkling of lights that were punctuated by flashes of white, like lightning in a bottle. With a heavy fringe framing her face, her eyes dressed with semi-circles of black, Legrand delivered each song with a voice that at times was completely unearthly, often letting it soar freely across the room, the act of which would elicit sounds of wonderment from many in the audience, while others stood completely transfixed, secret smiles playing out across their lips as they found their own sense of home and contentment within each song.

Scally on guitar and keyboard was magnificence personified, his performance flawless as it was visceral, the fuzzed-out sounds emanating from his guitar reminiscent of bands such as Slowdive and Alt-J yet completely recognisable as his own. ‘L’Inconnue’ saw Legrand’s vocals move from within the audience’s bodies, swelling and growing, consuming them whole as they gave themselves over to her willingly, Legrand then swiftly changing course as she took them back in time to their debut album with ‘Master of None’.

Asking where her witches were, Legrand led Beach House through a particularly haunting version of ‘Rough Song’, her bejewelled hand often tracing patterns in the air as if casting spells of her own, once again her voice taking flight as she tipped her head back, her black sequinned coat shimmering in the light. If ever there was a moment during the evening where Legrand gave the impression of truly belonging to another realm, this was it.

Finishing on ‘Lemon Glow’ a song that embodies the thrill of that heady initial emotional connection to another person, the subtle changes to Beach House’s sound with their latest work can clearly be heard. Edges are formed within the soundscape, upon which crystalline notes rebound reminding you of the overwhelming pleasure found in something that is new. Black and white patterns swirled across the screen, bringing the song to a crescendo, it’s finale breaking and washing over the audience who burst into euphoric celebration of what they have not only just witnessed but truly been a part of.

Returning to stage for a single encore, words of gratitude are gifted to the fans by both Legrand and Scally before they perform their final piece for the evening; ‘Dive’ the second single from their album 7 seeing Legrand pick up a guitar and join Scally, the trio once again bringing the song to a climax that leaves the audience breathless.

Last night Beach House once again demonstrated how they continue to evolve, incremental shifts in their sound and compositions, ensuring that their alluring shape never remains the same.

Beach House – Image by Doug Peters

Were you there at The Auckland Town Hall for this ethereal dream pop gig? Or have you seen Beach House perform live somewhere else? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Setlist:

1. Levitation
2. Lazuli
3. Walk In The Park
4. Dark Spring
5. PPP
6. L’Inconnue
7. 10 Mile Stereo
8. Black Car
9. Master Of None
10. Myth
11. Rough Song
12. Drunk In LA
13. Wishes
14. Space Song
15. Girl Of The Year
16. Lemon Glow
17. Dive [encore]

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