MuteMath + Civil Twilight: Concert Review
MuteMath is known for their crazy live performances and their newest tour is no exception. The evening of my last concert in Arizona began with a performance from Quiet Entertainer, who was a DJ yet kept the audience entertained through his different mixes of music. Sadly, I missed a bit of the set since I was back chatting with the band who took the stage next, Civil Twilight. When you know something is your last, it can be a bit bittersweet; and I was keeping my fingers crossed that the Civil Twilight would be an interview to remember, not only because it was my last interview in Arizona, but also because I loved the band. To say this was one to remember is an understatement. When you go to a show to meet up with a band, there are many different things that can happen. The interview can take place outside in the back of the venue, a random part of the venue, in a dressing room, or occasionally on a tour bus. When the interviews are on tour buses or in dressing rooms — which aren’t what most people may think they are — you get a bit of an inside look at the band and it automatically establishes a bit of a closer relationship. Now, I’m not saying you become best friends with the band; but when they invite you into their one private space at a venue, it can become a bit special.
For this interview, the tour bus became the location of the interview; and after we spent a few minutes trying to figure out how to configure everyone so that we could sit in somewhat of a circle, we got started with the interview. Although we started out like any other interview — basic questions and solid answers — there was no telling what was about to happen. Through the course of the 25 to 30 minutes we were back with the band, a few people came on the bus; some left, the band got paid for the night, and some other random moments ensued. The point is that just because I have done hundreds of interviews in Arizona in a variety of locations, I had no telling what was going to take place in this one. It goes down as one of my favorite memories of a concert and you can read what the band had to say below.
After we got back into the venue, it was a short 20 minutes before Civil Twilight took to the stage. Reminiscing on moments from the interview, I took my photos and enjoyed their set. The first night of a new tour is always filled with working out kinks and debuting a new set list. The band was as flawless as I had hoped and made for a great opening. After their set, it was time to prepare for MuteMath. With CO2 tanks, a mattress looking object, and random other props around and in front of the stage, I was curious to see what this show would entail.
MuteMath took a different approach to their set by entering from the back of the venue playing percussion instruments like they were a marching band. After jumping up on stage, the show started and the venue was filled with crazy lights and plenty of energy. Drummer Darren King had his headphones taped to his head so that they wouldn’t fall off. From lead singer Paul Meany’s crowd surf on a mattress to the confetti cannons that went off three times, the show was a celebration of the band’s three albums. The set list comprised a variety of favorites from the albums as well as some that weren’t as popular, but the fans still loved. It was the perfect last concert at home and one that I recommend to anyone that can catch the show.
