After all these years, I finally got my chance to catch Washed Out live. Every time Ernest Greene and his band came to New York I was either away at college or had another show conflict or plans. Things finally worked out last night where he played a free show at Music Hall of Williamsburg as a part of Converse Rubber Tracks. Brooklyn-based acts Conveyor and Ghost Beach opened.
I’m well acquainted with Conveyor, catching them a few times over the last few years at CMJ and SXSW. Their unique sound always goes over well live, and they somehow seem to keep getting better and better. Ghost Beach were next, and although they create a fun dance-pop inspired atmosphere, I felt something was missing. I think they have some potential, but they still have some ways to go to fully reach it.
Washed Out finally came on and didn’t disappoint. My original conception of Washed Out was a one-man bedroom project, but live, it’s a fully fleshed out live show. He dazzled with all the best dream-influenced cuts from his two full-length albums (Within and Without and this years Paracosm). “All I Know” is one of my favorite tracks of the year, so naturally, that stole the show for me live. But the real highlights were the older stuff from his early releases, such as “Hold Out”, “New Theory” and “Feel It All Around.”
I left quite impressed at Greene’s ability to bring these songs to life on the live stage, while also giving them more of a dance-firendly bite that got the crowd moving. I will be sure to catch them whenever they come around these parts again.
Check out some photos from his set, along with one of both Ghost Beach & Conveyor below.
Washed Out:
Ghost Beach:
Conveyor
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