Metric @ The Sound Academy

February 11th, 2008

Metric debuted several new tracks this past Thursday to a giant and raucous crowd at the newly-renovated Sound Academy (formerly The Docks). As far as the new songs go, if you’re expecting Metric to waver from there tried-and-true sound, you’re off the mark. At the same time, if you think that the formula they’ve perfected over the years has become tired, you’re dead (disco) wrong. Metric simply have a way with melody that is part uncanny, part delectable, and just part-and-parcel with supreme aural pleasure. They opened the show with the tentatively titled Freddie Mercury, and its frenetic energy saw many audience members breaking a sweat quicker than you can travel a metre by a high speed jet.

Other new additions to the Metric repertoire included: Gimme Sympathy, Slo-Motion, and Stadium Love (all tentatively titled) and came across as confident, soaring pieces of music. Personally, I loved Slo-Motion, but I could see Gimme Sympathy and Stadium Love being two massive hits if Metric decides to release them as singles.

Otherwise, the show was a hit with the crowd, as Metric tore through their back catalogue. Standouts included Poster of a Girl, Dead Disco, Empty and an acoustic version of Live it Out. Fans of Metric had absolutely every reason to love the show, what with Emily Haines’ trademark charisma in full bloom, and the swagger of the entire band on full display. This is what a band sounds like when they are fully aware that they can (very easily and seductively) Rock Me (YOU!) Now.

As a brief aside, the Sound Academy was looking really good, and the sound seemed to be improved upon from what was once quite lacklustre, but in all my years of clubbing and concert-going, I have never, EVER, seen such a mess in the coat check line (sea is more apt – hungry, starving, mob-tastic sea is more like it). In the words of the immortal Mooj from 40 Year Old Virgin as he preaches to a blue-balled Andy, Sound Academy, “you gotta get on that”.

Setlist:

Freddie Mercury*
Poster of a Girl
Dead Disco
Slo-Motion*
Too Little Too Late
Empty
Hustle Rose
Handshakes
Gimme Sympathy*
Rock Me Now
Combat Baby
Live it Out (acoustic)

Encore:
Monster Hospital
Stadium Love*

* = tentative title

Posted on Monday, February 11th, 2008 at 10:32 am by Chrissy and is filed under Concerts & Events.