I closed out the 2015 Northside Festival with a sold out performance from Canadian rockers Viet Cong at Music Hall of Williamsburg. It was the second of a two night sold out run at the venue, an impressive feat considering that they played a sold out Mercury Lounge just back in January.
Now that the controversy over their name has somewhat died down, the band have been able to just focus on playing their music live on tour. Their self-titled debut album (released via Jagjaguwar) is a quick but efficient bit of edgy freak-rock that really is a thing within itself, and one of my favorite records of the year so far.
It’s a different beast live, using space and different speeds and tempos to exaggerate its purpose to delightful effect. Highlights such as “Bunker Buster” and “Continental Shelf” sounded monstrous live, leaving many left picking their jaws off of the floor. I only wish they had more songs because their set was over just as the going was really getting good with the extended monster of a jam that is the album closer “Death.”
They’ll be back in New York on September 11 for a performance at Basilica Soundscape in Hudson, New York.
Find photos from their Northside performance posted below, along with the setlist.
Setlist:
1. Silhouettes
2. Throw It Away
3. Unconscious Melody
4. Bunker Buster
5. March of Progress
6. Dark Entries
7. Continental Shelf
8. Death
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