SWX, 25th February
Distinctly retro, yet distinctly modern.
Texas five piece The Black Angels are pretty much the go to for any reference of what constitutes high bar psych rock.
After a 5 year wait 2022 witnessed new album “ Wilderness of Mirrors”. And February 2023 witnessed a triumphant return to a Bristol stage for the neo-psychedelic, Velvet Underground inspired purveyors of rib rattling, fuzzy head inducing tunes.
The Black Angels – Alex Maas (vocalist/bassist), Christian Bland (guitarist), Stephanie Bailey (drummer), Jake Garcia (guitarist), Ramiro Verdooren (multi-instrumentalist) take the stage in a haze of soft blues, reds and greens.
Their frames almost silhouetted against the harsh, giant LED screen behind them. Which pumps out a montage of psychedelic colour and imagery throughout a mammoth set.
The band take care of business in studious and characteristically understated fashion. Delivering a cross album set that underpins their sounds metamorphosis from it’s beginnings in 2004 through to today.
There is little time for major interaction with the crowd, save the normal pleasantries, with a huge set spanning over 20 tracks, 7 albums and almost 20 years.
Fans of the band couldn’t fail to be happy with what they witnessed. Anyone unfamiliar with the band would have been been in appreciation of how the band are all about the music. No overt showmanship, no band members trying to outshine each other.
Just music, music, music.
The new album is obviously centred on. And it cuts a interesting juxtaposition between bleak recognition of the world we have created, whilst simultaneously showing the beauty of what we can create.
Its a great set, from a classic band, with a classic sound that is able to bend its ear to a modern approach.
@bristolnomad_gigphotography / @thebristolnomad
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
