Toronto’s Metric bring a euphoric energy to Glasgow’s SWG3 in an emotionally-charged set, laden with gnarling guitars, synth-heavy grooves and Emily Haines’ lucid vocals.
Tonight’s support comes from LA four-piece Lo Moon who delve into new album A Modern Life and 2018’s self-titled debut. Vocalist Matt Lowell engages the crowd with ease between numbers, while Crisanta Baker works her magic on bass and synth from beneath her mop of blonde hair, delivering a shimmering swathe of atmospheric, melodic dream pop. You can check out Lo Moon here: https://www.lomoonofficial.com/
While most people shove their sequinned party gear back into the wardrobe once January rears its gloomy head, Metric’s vocalist Emily Haines likes to get her money’s worth, tonight sparkling her way through a set showcasing songs from last year’s release Formentera, glittered with older gems from the band’s back catalogue which spans around twenty years.
When I first stumbled across Metric’s track Sick Muse, from 2009’s Fantasies, I thought Lush had got it together again, Haines’ vocals on this particular number, for me, reminiscent of Miki Berenyi’s. Fourteen years on and still listening, their sound continues to flit between gnarling guitars and synth-driven beats, their lyrics timely and poignant.
Tonight Formentera’s opening track Doomscroller kicks off the set, an epic slice of scathing social commentary reflective of the inescapable news cycle so many of us get caught up in, Haines articulating her words with resounding clarity over a dark, propellant bassline, the song building up to a blazing, angry groove. Explosive fan favourite Gold Guns Girls is up next followed by the distorted delights of 2018’s Dark Saturday, blasting open with a rollicking punk riff before melding into Haines’ gleaming melody.
It’s clear that Metric are, like so many bands, enjoying the renewed vigour of hitting the road again, their energy levels high and some dance moves almost leaving Haines catching her breath! But there’s also that new compassion, Haines checking in on everyone to make sure they’re ok, which they are thanks to the band’s spirited performance.
The set continues to skip between albums, from Fantasies’ addictive Help I’m Alive which has the crowd echoing her cries of “beating like a hammer”, fists punching the air, to Formentera’s low-key title track. Acoustic performances of Calculation Theme and Combat Baby sees Haines get up close with guitarist James Shaw, these two numbers getting a fantastic response from the crowd.
A short interlude follows. Loo break? Nope, it appears Haines just feels the need to shine some more, strutting back on with a metallic-gold hooded jacket, telling us “there’s no such thing as a Monday night when Metric are in town“ before the hypnotic, electro beats of 2015’s Cascades immerses the euphoric crowd. Synthetica’s title track from 2012 intoxicates, and when Sick Muse finally rears its lovely head, the intro throws me before that familiar riff reels me in. Fantasies’ Gimme Sympathy concludes the set with an uplifting performance, complete with that age-old question, ‘The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?’ Discuss!
A four-track encore includes Black Sheep, from the Scott Pilgrim vs. the World soundtrack, which gets an astounding reception before Haines submerges us under her spell one last time with the mesmerising Breathing Underwater, as she asks ‘Is this my life? / Am I breathing underwater?’’, a sentiment felt by many of us, especially with the events of the last few years. She stops for a few words of tear-fuelled gratitude before playing out with a breathy whisper, quite delirious with joy…and it looks like the audience aren’t far behind.
Words: Shirley Mack @musingsbymarie
Pictures: Calum Mackintosh@ayecandyphotography