The band return to the stage with production is simply stunning
Last night at the Petersen Center in Pittsburgh, alt-J performed for the first time in three years. The group kicked off The Dream Tour with special guests Portugal. The Man and Sir Chloe. Their excitement was palpable. They’re back on the road to support their new album The Dream which dropped on February 11. To showcase their new album, the band is taking their live spectacle to new heights.
“Cowboys From Hell,” Slayer’s “South of Heaven,” and Metallica’s “For Whom The Bell Tolls” together. The band covered the latter’s “Don’t Tread On Me” for The Blacklist, a covers album celebrating the 30th anniversary of Metallica’s seminal self-titled album. The metal-tinged moment has become a staple at the group’s live shows.
Portugal. The Man tore through a 15-song set that included hits from their own catalog as well as some high profile covers. They dropped “In Bloom” by Nirvana and “Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2” by Pink Floyd, among others. Their new song “What, Me Worry?” made its live debut.
Towards the end of the set, the band was running behind on time – something that has a tendency to happen on the first show of the tour.
“Well, we only have 8 minutes left,” vocalist and guitarist John Gourley said. “What should we do?” Just then, the unmistakable bass line intro to the band’s smash hit single “Feel It Still” kicked in.
The crowd went wild.
Earlier this month, the Portugal. The Man dropped their new single “What, Me Worry?” They are gearing up for the release of their ninth studio album which is tentatively due out in June. Their last LP was 2017’s Woodstock.
alt-J took the stage for the first time in over three years. Their excitement was palpable. With their new album fresh off the presses, alt-J are bring the new songs to life with a dynamic stage show designed by industry leaders FragmentNine.
They opened the show with “Bane,” a cut from their latest outing. The group proceeded to share the new record with the fans by play seven songs from the LP. The crowd was in awe of their jaw-dropping stage set-up.
The three members performed on an elevated platform inside a rectangular box, while graphics and imagery dropped the outside throughout the artful performance.
Another new track “Philadelphia” garnered some boos when it was introduced from the cross-state rival crowd.
All in good fun, though.
Other highlights included “U&ME,” “The Actor,” “In Cold Blood,” and many more. After briefly departing the stage, the band returned for a monster encore of fan favorites – “Hard Drive Gold,” “Left Hand Free,” and “Breezeblocks.”
It was truly a stellar evening of live entertainment.
The Dream Tour continues across North America through April 17.
alt-J: Live Photo Gallery
Portugal. The Man: Live Photo Gallery
