My Bloody Valentine's live show is a sonic assault that defies the notion of diminishing volume – or would you rather merely tone down the beast. For those onlookers who opt for earplugs, it's more about preserving eardrums than just reducing decibels; to tame the experience would be akin to watering down their legendary performance as an immersive, visceral, and musical odyssey.
At its core, My Bloody Valentine is a pioneering force behind shoegaze – that enigmatic, ethereal genre that has experienced a resurgence with the TikTok crowd. Yet, at times, they seem more akin to noise warriors like Einstürzende Neubaten than their quintessential British counterparts. However, amidst the chaotic cacophony lies an undeniable aesthetic appeal – be it Bilinda Butcher's soothing vocals or Kevin Shields' wall of sound that somehow manages to intermingle with a melodic finesse.
The rhythm section of Debbie Googe and Colm Ó Cíosóig provides an unshakeable foundation, as the band hurtles through a maelstrom of noise. The show is a journey towards what can only be described as sonic sculpture – an aural experience that's both disorienting and mesmerizing.
A rare tour from My Bloody Valentine adds to their mystique; it's been seven years since their last outing, making this a celestial event. Witnessing the band perform in cavernous venues with visuals that rival the music itself is a far cry from their humble beginnings in pubs. The nearly two-hour show masterfully chronicles their evolution into an unparalleled form of sound.
Their performance also boasts notable tributes – albeit a bit truncated by power failures, including a nod to late Stone Roses bassist Mani. Shields' affection for his predecessor is palpable, even if the song's repeated failure doesn't disrupt the momentum. The closer, You Made Me Realise, delivers an apocalyptic sonic onslaught that comes perilously close to equating its sound with the very fabric of chaos.
In this whirlwind performance, My Bloody Valentine proves why they're regarded as shoegaze pioneers – not just for their boundary-pushing music but also for transporting audiences into a sonic world both bewildering and beautiful.
At its core, My Bloody Valentine is a pioneering force behind shoegaze – that enigmatic, ethereal genre that has experienced a resurgence with the TikTok crowd. Yet, at times, they seem more akin to noise warriors like Einstürzende Neubaten than their quintessential British counterparts. However, amidst the chaotic cacophony lies an undeniable aesthetic appeal – be it Bilinda Butcher's soothing vocals or Kevin Shields' wall of sound that somehow manages to intermingle with a melodic finesse.
The rhythm section of Debbie Googe and Colm Ó Cíosóig provides an unshakeable foundation, as the band hurtles through a maelstrom of noise. The show is a journey towards what can only be described as sonic sculpture – an aural experience that's both disorienting and mesmerizing.
A rare tour from My Bloody Valentine adds to their mystique; it's been seven years since their last outing, making this a celestial event. Witnessing the band perform in cavernous venues with visuals that rival the music itself is a far cry from their humble beginnings in pubs. The nearly two-hour show masterfully chronicles their evolution into an unparalleled form of sound.
Their performance also boasts notable tributes – albeit a bit truncated by power failures, including a nod to late Stone Roses bassist Mani. Shields' affection for his predecessor is palpable, even if the song's repeated failure doesn't disrupt the momentum. The closer, You Made Me Realise, delivers an apocalyptic sonic onslaught that comes perilously close to equating its sound with the very fabric of chaos.
In this whirlwind performance, My Bloody Valentine proves why they're regarded as shoegaze pioneers – not just for their boundary-pushing music but also for transporting audiences into a sonic world both bewildering and beautiful.
]
i mean, 120db is definitely loud but who needs earplugs? it's like they're trying to recreate an immersive experience or wth 
but seriously, their music has always been a bit too much for me. bilinda butcher's vocals are all cool and stuff but kevin shields' wall of sound just makes my head hurt 
plus, i'm not really sure what the big deal is about shoegaze... it's just noise with some guitars 
- i mean, yeah they're loud and stuff, but can't they just play at a reasonable volume like everyone else? and another thing, i think they're kinda overrated... their music is too repetitive for my taste 
and those visuals are straight out of a video game 
The whole vibe of their live show is like, totally insane, you know? 
But seriously, their music's got this incredible texture and atmosphere that's just mesmerizing to watch live. And can we talk about how epic it is to see them perform in these huge venues with visuals that match the energy of the music? 
It's like a whole new dimension of sound!
... have you tried the ones with truffle oil? Game changer, right? 
! I get it, My Bloody Valentine's live show is a wild ride, but can't we just have a volume option or something? 
And can we talk about Bilinda Butcher's vocals? She's like butter for my ears 
. The way Kevin Shields' guitar work just washes over you is magic 
. Even though the show was a bit chaotic, it felt so intentional and well-crafted – like they're taking us on this wild sonic journey together 
. Can't wait to see them live again! 
. But seriously though, it's like they're taking sonic warfare to a whole new level – all that noise is just so... My Bloody Valentine 
bilinda's vocals were this ethereal whisper that cut through all the chaos, and kevin's guitar work was like walls of sound come to life 
the visuals were insane too - it felt like we were in a whole different world for two hours 
. What really gets me is how they manage to balance noise with melody, creating this hypnotic wall of sound that's both chaotic and beautiful at the same time 
.
. They're really living up to their reputation as shoegaze pioneers - I mean, who else can make noise sound beautiful and haunting all at once?! 
Seriously though, My Bloody Valentine's show is just too much for me - it's like they're trying to shatter my eardrums with every single note 
. I'm not sure if anyone else feels this way or if we've all just gotten too old for this sorta thing 
they're literally pushing the limits of sound, but in a good way? 
the visuals are insane too, like you said, it's like they're trying to create this whole immersive experience. and Bilinda's vocals are, like, soothing? 
what kind of magic is that?! 
Kevin Shields is just pure genius, his guitar work is like nothing else out there. 
and i'm still reeling from the experience 
it's hard to say whether you need earplugs or just close your eyes and go with it 
kevin shields' wall of sound is insane 
the visuals were mind-blowing too! i felt like i was in a sonic sculpture garden 
. Bilinda Butcher's vocals are so soothing, like someone's singing directly into your soul 
. And can we talk about how long this show was? Two hours? That's dedication 
. I'm not surprised they've been called pioneers of shoegaze - they're pushing the boundaries of sound and creating something entirely new 
.
. But honestly, that wall of sound is what makes their music so iconic – it's like a force field of sound that just pulls you in 
.
. Still, it's great to see Kevin Shields still bringing the noise after all these years 
. It's like, I get it, Kevin Shields' guitar playing can be a bit much at times, but that's all part of the magic right? 
. It's like a wild ride through soundscapes and I am HERE FOR IT 
. Can't wait for the next show... or maybe I'll just stick with earplugs