Throwing Muses captivated a packed out and faithful Electric Ballroom in London, as part of their tour for new album Moonlight Concessions.
It’s fair to say that Kristin Hersh is rock ‘n roll royalty, with eleven Throwing Muses albums, equally as many solo albums and a career spanning over four decades, she has influenced countless musicians across the globe.
Joined on stage with partner and long time Throwing Muse Fred Abong on drums, her son Dylan on bass, and cellist Pete Harvey they proceeded to play an iconic set featuring songs from their rich musical history.
Opening song ‘Theramini’, from the new album set the tone for the show with its immersive sound and extra sonic layers from the cello, which is one of the main hallmarks of Moonlight Concessions, along with the lyrical vignettes. The fire was back for next song ‘Sunray Venus’ from 2013’s Purgatory/Paradise, with its delicious bass and distorted guitars.
The ‘Muses effortlessly moved between the grunge-tastic single ‘Summer of Love’ from the new album, to the delicate ‘Bywater’ from Sun Racket, with such out-of-the-box lyrics as:
Whose goldfish in the toilet?
Don’t flush it, it’s Freddie Mercury
Other highlights included ‘Colder’ from early album House of Tornado, with its visceral bassline and changing time signatures and the ferocious country-punk of ‘Soap And Water’ from The Fat Skier. ‘Sally’s Beauty’ from the current album, drew a special cheer from the audience and displayed Fred Abong’s delicate cymbal work, Kristin’s emotive vocals and the cello’s mournful counter melodies.
They closed out their twenty-five song set with an encore of a snarling ‘Shark’ from Limbo and the noisy pop-rock of ‘Bright Yellow Gun’ from University.
Kristin Hersh is a quintessential commanding frontwoman. She does not need to say much as she lets the music speak for itself, but equally gives warmth back to the enraptured audience, when they express their love.
Throwing Muses takes us back to a time before likes and subscribes, when bands were allowed time and space to grow and experiment musically, and what a beautiful musical tapestry they have to show for it.
Catch them live on tour in the autumn.
Lande Hekt was in fine form and a perfect opener for the Throwing Muses. After bursting onto the scene as part of Exeter’s folk-punk Muncie Girls in 2016, she branched out on her own releasing solo EP Gigantic Disappointment and albums Gone To Hell and House Without a View.
Lande has a gifted ability to not only draw awareness to serious issues such as sexuality and mental health, but at the same time she bares her soul as if you were reading her intimate diaries. Backed by her four-piece band with Noah Radley on drums, Alex Hall on guitar and Elise on bass, her set included the epic ‘Backstreet Snow’, showcasing her ethereal vocals and potent lyricism combined with an upbeat musical backing and jangly guitars a la Johnny Marr.
Other highlights included the whimsical and nostalgic ‘First Girlfriend’ and the spirited ‘Cut My Hair’, perfectly exhibiting her raw energy, deeply personal lyrics and diverse influences from the like of Le Tigre, Patti Smith and Sacred Paws.
Catch her on tour at the Green Belt Festival and supporting Throwing Muses again this autumn.