burning out the limelight
fifteen thoughts on touché amoré's record release live stream
photo by erica lauren
thanks to the hell year that is 2020 - live streams have become the new normal. it’s been difficult for me to really get into it (nothing will replicate the anticipation of the band about to hit stage) but i’ve watched a handful of good-to-great ones since this became the new reality. code orange set the tone in march with the live stream of their great album underneath and kind of set the template for a successful live stream - it was passionate, intense, and genuine. underoath did a series of three live streams celebrating their albums from 2004 to 2008 that featured some of the most insane production value to emerge from these streams, while the menzingers recently did a really fun and unique live stream direct from studio 4. and last night touché amoré joined the trend with a record release live stream celebrating their new album lament. while the aforementioned live streams were incredible performances, touché amoré’s live stream was the first to really capture the feeling of “being there,” as it genuinely felt like being the pit for forty or however many minutes. with that in mind. i’ve been thinking about it all day so i wanted to jot down some thoughts from last night.
the show was put on by sos booking and sound + fury and man was that sound production fucking great. it makes this shit suck even more knowing that’s the quality we would’ve gotten during an actual tour.
the set list featured eleven tracks - seven from lament. “rapture” and “flowers and you” were the sole stage four numbers and we were treated to two deep cuts in “green” and “whale belly” - the latter being a pleasant surprise as it remains one of the band’s most underrated cuts. initially I was disappointed by the lack of dead horse of parting the sea numbers but those are live staples that really get their traction from crowd participation so honestly those songs would’ve felt hollow without the corresponding hand claps and call and return singalongs. also it’s a record release show for the new album so of course they’re gonna play the new shit.
THEY PLAYED “WHALE BELLY.”
second biggest surprise of the night after that “whale belly” cut was guitarist nick steinhardt absolutely slaying the andy hull part on “limelight.” like holy shit man where did that come from? I was half expecting andy’s floating head to appear on the back drop but honestly nick taking over those vocals and how it played off of jeremy’s screams was a stunning moment that’s still resonating with me. took an already incredible song to another level - didn’t think it was possible. also the pedal steel segment is going to be A Moment once actual humans can be in venues again.
also how fucking sick was nick’s look last night? what the fuck man - stunting on all of us like that was disrespectful (also gimme a pre-order for that jacket goddamn).
elliot babin is the most underrated drummer in hardcore/rock/whatever and last night was just another example of his insane versatility and skill - dude beasted on “exit row” and “reminders.”
enough cannot be said about the incredible strides nick, clayton stevens, and tyler kirby have made as musicians and hearing some of these lament songs live last night further emphasized it. tyler’s bass playing has never been better (it’s so fat on “deflector”). nick and clayton’s more nuanced and textured playing sounded amazing on “limelight” and “lament.”
what more can be written about the journey jeremy bolm has made as a writer and more importantly as a human over the course of these last two records? it’s been written about ad naseum (and i’ll continue it in my lament review coming soon) but immediately the passion and vulnerability was on full display in what i can only presume is the new live show opener “come heroine.” what a joyous occasion and what probably feels like some sort of positive relief to sing about the person he loves most in his life. electrifying way to start the set. can’t wait to lose my voice screaming along to “now i’m undone.”
“‘round here’ is an almost perfect song….almost.” this will also be another new live show crowd staple.
loved the live q+a prior - i thought kat nijmeddin was the perfect moderator for it and brought a levity to the discussion. some people in the twitch comments tho - you were fucking rude and that shit is unwanted in this or any other scene.
the old fashion styled ads that played in between segments were inspired - it was reminiscent of waiting for a movie to start at the vista theater or new beverly cinema. I can only imagine nick and the rest of the band had a blast with that. a nice touch that also helped separate this live stream from the others.
i only stuck around for part of jeremy’s dj set and q+a because i’m an old man on east coast time and needed to go to bed but it’s always fun seeing the man nerd out over records and his favorite artists.
erica lauren took all fucking dope photos that i poached for this newsletter.
lament is my favorite record of 2020 - buy it and/or stream it (especially on apple music then you can read some editor notes and a track by track done by yours truly) etc.
hopefully one day this won’t be the new normal for live music anymore but until then touché amoré knocked it out of the park during an incredible difficult time.
