Scenes From Last Night's Mogwai Show at the Granada.

The Mogwai fans that packed into the Granada Theater last night knew what they were getting. They also knew what they weren't getting.

There would be little showmanship on this night. There would be few heroic, cliched rock poses. Fashion would be put on the backburner.

But the music? They knew that the music would be wonderful.

And, to that end, it seems no one left the theater disappointed with this mostly instrumental, Glasgow-based, post-rock outfit's display.

Nor, really, would they be displeased with the night's opening set from Majeure. The Pittsburgh-based performer's beautiful, sweeping, synth-heavy offering capably set the tone for the night, evoking thoughts of Vangelis and Blade Runner.

But, impressive as that showing was, Mogwai's performance would top it. It was a set delivered with almost perfect mathematical precision, and it left the crowd elevated.

Mogwai's music is meant to the fill the gaps in its listeners' imaginations. It is heavy and serene at once, and to hear it — especially in live settings — is an exercise in catharsis. Last night's showing felt like watching a thousand movies at once — and all within the span of a single song.

No, Mogwai doesn't require the spectacle that other acts do. Still, on this night, the band acquiesced some, its stage show now evolved from a fully bare bones one to one that includes light shows and a handful of props.

But these were unnecessary accoutrements. The band's music has changed enough on its own of late; the January-released Rave Tapes dabbles a bit more with synthesized textures and heavy percussion than previous efforts.

One thing that hasn't changed? Mogwai's distinguishable wall of sound. Ultimately, it's the defining characteristic of this band

And, at last night's show, it stood strong.



















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