Low
Paradiso, Amsterdam
22/02/2005
The whole concert going experience is something I personally love almost regardless of the band or performer I see. However, there is no doubting that gig going is at its most rewarding when experiencing something which has the ability to take the listener to another place. Low did this for me as I witnessed them play at the Paradiso in February.
I had previously seen two thirds of them – drummer and vocalist Mimi was not present - performing at the Rough Trade night at the Paradiso in November 2004, but a fascinating 40 minutes or so was practically ruined by the number of people indulging in banal conversation. This time, I hoped for better from the paying public.
Thankfully, the return of their full line-up had only attracted fans who wanted to be swept up in the beauty of their compositions, and a half-full Paradiso main hall was in absolute silence during the songs. The audience was in thrall to the band throughout, whether the songs were from their new album The Great Destroyer – an album which has seen the band produce music of a higher tempo than their previous slo-core – or their older material.
The most striking thing about Low live is the way that the singing of guitarist Alan Sparhawk and his wife Mimi Parker meld together in such a perfect way. Their aching harmonies somehow give their lyrics further meaning, something which does not come over as strongly on their recorded output.
Between songs, Sparhawk spoke to the audience in a relaxed way, not betraying the fact that he was using his conversation as a distraction in order to tune his guitar. His most memorable story was that a member of the Belgian staff at the previous concert in Brussels had bet with him that the Dutch audience would not be able to keep quiet. A bet which he was quite happy to collect the next time he was in Belgium.
90 minutes and one encore after they had gently begun, Low’s latest appearance in Amsterdam was unfortunately over. The transcendental quality of their performance was such that I could quite happily have spent much longer in the church-like ambience of the Paradiso. Instead, I will have to content myself with seeing them the next time they visit Dutch shores when I hope they play to a packed but quietly respectful audience at the same perfect venue for their music.
Simon Gleave
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