Low
Sage, Gateshead
4th August 2016
A spellbinding set from the brilliant Low, these two sets explore the breadth of their vast back catalogue all delivered with exceptional passion.
There are seldom few bands who can hold their own over two sets, fortunately Low are one such band with such an expansive back catalogue they have the ability to pull a crowd in all directions. As the crowd mill around chatting and taking their seats, the band make a quiet entrance, with this minimal fuss approach is to become a theme of the evening. They open with serene track Gentle, it’s a beautiful opening and provides a delicate base which the band set about building upon.
Low alternate between these chilled out and laidback sombre tracks into rousing and cacophonous instrumentals, the first set leans towards the bands more tranquil elements of their back catalogue. The likes of Lazy and Lullaby’s soothing tones provides expansive cinematic soundscapes, but it’s those tracks which slowly build into huge crescendos like Little Argument With Myself.
The latter part of their first set starts to gather pace with the powerful Witches, and closed out with Lies. It’s a set which has a bit of everything but it leaves everyone excited for the second half, and that is where this evening goes from strength to strength. The extremities of their material become increasingly evident as they open with the haunting tones of Monkey, which sets the intense tone of the second half.
What Part Of Me is a brooding and explosive track that builds with an increasing urgency alongside it’s chanted lyrics, before it’s impressive climax. However, it falls to an extended rendition of Pissing to bring the house down, this hugely atmospheric track performed with breath-taking ease. By far the highlight of the evening as these visceral stabs of guitar and thunderous drums resonate throughout this wonderful venue.
From this insane emotional high to an extraordinary take on the wonderful Let’s Stay Together, which settles everyone after the amazing Pissing. It’s a sobering end to a roller coaster of a set though and following a standing ovation Low return for a final swansong of the beautiful Will The Night. A perfect way to end an astonishing set, this evening is one of the finest shows we have had the pleasure of experiencing in a long time.
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All words and photos by Lee Hammond. You can check out more work by Lee at his Louder Than War author’s archive, he also tweets as @Napzap.
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