By Erica Gonzales
Flashing lights and a resounding bass are two things one does not expect to associate with an intimate venue, but Chvrches are a band for the unexpected (take its spelling, for starters).
On Monday night Chvrches had a “private” performance at the iHeartRadio Theater in TriBeCa, which was streamed live on iHeartRadio’s website, courtesy of Clear Channel Media & Entertainment. Live audience members won their tickets through an online contest held by PC Richard & Son, the venue’s sponsor.
Every aspect of this performance was up-close-and-personal, from the small venue, – which only accommodates up to 200 people – to the meet-and-greet session prior to the concert. Even so, they did not hold back from accompanying their performance with an incredible light show that captivated, but did not overwhelm, the audience.
Upon their entrance, they began with “We Sink,” a high-energy song with a growing, luring introduction, almost warning the viewers that an amazing night was ahead of them. Chvrches did not stop there, but continued straight to “Lungs” and other songs from their first studio album, “The Bones of What You Believe”, released this September.
Lead singer Lauren Mayberry proved a reserved, sweet-faced front woman. Her movements mid-performance were minimal but meaningful: she would often thrust her head to the music, disturbing her little brunette bob, or punch the air as the lights flashed behind her, outlining her petite silhouette.
Yet, she was no stranger to wit and humor. She confided in the audience a story revealing her fangirl obsession over Ian McKellan, to whom she referred as “Gandalf” during a David Letterman filming they performed at earlier that day.
Mayberry told small anecdotes between songs, revealing a soft-spoken but lovable personality. But don’t mistake her gentle stage presence for passivity; Mayberry knows how to stand up for herself, as she shows in an article she wrote for The Guardian in October against online misogyny.
“She sounds just like [she does on] the album,” noted one audience member, which was true. Mayberry’s light, high voice merely floated above Chvrches’ indie, electropop sound, interwoven with pulsing beats and synths.
Iain Cook, on the guitar, bass, and synthesizers, and Martin Doherty, on synthesizers, samplers, and additional vocals, complete the Glasgow born, three-man band. Doherty took the mic for his solo track on “Bones,” “Under the Tide,” dancing around with a passionate energy that contrasted Mayberry’s humbler stage presence.
The trio roused the crowd with an enthralling combination of lights and music, especially with upbeat hits “Recover,” “Gun,” and even a slower, more haunting “Science/Visions.”
It was difficult though, to keep the energy high, or at least at the level of larger concerts’, because the venue was so small and intimate. However that problem faded away as they closed the show with their biggest hit, “Mother We Share,” and viewers clapped their hands above their heads to the track’s quick-paced beat and sang along to its familiar “oh’s.”
This was Chvrches’ penultimate performance in the U.S. this year before returning home to Glasgow, Scotland.
Erica Gonzales is a staff writer. Email her at music@nyunews.com.
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