Alt J – Auckland Town Hall December 12, 2017

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After the success of their Mercury-Prize winning debut An Awesome Wave and sophomore effort This Is All Yours, Alt- J’s inoffensive reinterpretation of late aughties Radiohead, Foals and Grizzly Bear has garnered a considerable fan base, who were out in force at last night’s sold out show at the Auckland Town Hall.
The trio are touring their latest effort Relaxer, an eight song long album where brevity does not equate to focus. This scattershot record offers some outstanding songs where their ability to excel in simplicity shines amidst more muddled moments. Despite this, their first two albums were created as comparisons of each other, while Relaxer is an admirable attempt to create a cohesive identity that doesn’t quite stick yet.

So it was more off the back of their legacy that I found myself sitting in the Auckland Town Hall on a Tuesday night. Alt-J emerged from the smoky shadows to rapturous applause before they launched into 3WW. Fans were immediately entranced by the De Stijl inspired light construction that ebbed, flowed, glittered and pulsed with its own vivacity.

In regards to their set list, Alt-J knew what their audience wanted and gave it to them, with their set list primarily built from An Awesome Wave and This Is All Yours. Crowd favourites Tessellate and Matilda had the whole crowd singing along, Fitzpleasure ruffled Alt-J’s bookish image and Breezeblocks had band and crowd expressing mutual love for each other with the refrain “Please don’t go, I love you so”

As the synths swirled around deft drumming, it was very clear that the Town Hall was made for bands like Alt-J. But it was unfortunate that Joe Newman’s striking voice was set so low in the mix as this gave the (incorrect) impression that he was straining.

Despite this, it was an incredibly enjoyable show from a tight trio who know how to create a spectacle. Those going in the upcoming nights are going to witness something quite special.

Kate Powell

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