Phosphorescent : Live in Europe

<img src="http://www.qromag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/phosphorescenteurope.jpg" alt=" " />It's always hard being a support band, b<span style="font-weight: normal">ut when you're handpicked by a band who a doubt know what good music is, you're...

Phosphorescent : Live

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It’s always hard being a support band, let alone when the band you’re supporting is newly enlisted as the nation’s sweethearts, The National (QRO spotlight on).  But when you’re handpicked by a band who after the long hard slog (that’s ten years before the limelight finally hit) have made it, and without a doubt know what good music is, you’re bound to be in for something special – which is exactly where Phosphorescent come into the frame.

Akin to transposed The National, Phosphorescent have been uprooted from their original state roots (The National originally from Ohio, Phosphorescent originally from Georgia) and are now based in Brooklyn, New York – if you can even count their days home.  Phosphorescent have been on the road extensively, with over 200 days away from home – including a stint with The National where QRO was able to get a real sense of action from Phosphorescent.

Phosphorescent touring efforts have not gone unnoticed, or musical talent, by their peers or fans, with Phosphorescent first appearing at The National’s High Violet Annex – a 5 night celebration of The National’s latest release curated by the band (QRO review), and then the band going on to support The National on their leg of European dates from November 11th to December 4th.  It’s a long slog and a hard end to a tiring year for both bands, who as aforementioned have hardly seen their own beds this year – but The National, who haven’t been forced to tour with a labelmate or other, have had the opportunity to choose a band they felt really had talent and potential – none other than Phosphorescent.

Attention for Phosphorescent has been growing ever since it was a spark in frontman Matthew Houck’s mind ten years ago.  From then, this musical project has flourished with their fifth full length album, Here’s to Taking It Easy on Dead Oceans this year – and appearing on several ‘Best of 2010’ lists.  However, there’s only so much lists and reviews and even word of mouth can tell you – Phosphorescent are an experience in themselves, and there’s a lot of material to experience.  As a band who are often new to those who are seeing them in supporting slots, or even TV or radio (Phosphorescent also recently appeared on the very notable Late Show with David LettermanQRO’s Indie on Late Night TV) it’s hard to fit in a wide span of material from the last ten years in a thirty minute slot or five minute TV appearance and it’s even harder to showcase when often, people’s ears aren’t always willing to listen.

Matthew HouckRegardless, Phosphorescent didn’t fail to impress crowds wherever they went, with heart warming melodies, raw rocking emotion and true sincere sentiment.  Despite frontman Houck becoming ill halfway through the tour, he still championed on to give a near faultless delivery every night.  Perhaps the hoarseness to Houck’s voice even brought some emotion to the table, with fan favourite “Wolves” (if there was any ever fan request, which there were, frequent times upon the tour) becoming particularly compelling and tender with the broken chords of Houck’s.  Still, newer material off their 2010 Here’s to Taking It Easy went down equally a storm, with almost disgustingly catchy melodies such as album opener “It’s Hard to Be Humble (When You’re from Alabama)” and “The Mermaid Parade”.

It’s genuinely nice to see a band who always aren’t so rehearsed, with attempts of banter, making an effort to please, and although throughout the tour, there are signs of wear and tear – after all, touring is no easy business; country hopping for weeks on straight isn’t all it’s cracked up to be – but tracks like “Los Angeles “, again off the latest record, really demonstrated why bands do what they do – a real, clear passion for the music.  Scott Stapleton, the pianist of the band, probably most aptly demonstrates this.  Think that’s not the most rock and roll instrument and you’ll be fast proven wrong, with Stapleton acing in theatrical piano playing.  A real passion and natural talent flows from these five young men and although there may not always be room, or time, for show tricks, bright lights and fancy screens, or smiles at times even, it’s the music that speaks for itself.

Proving their material timeless, tracks such as “Dead Heart” from 2005’s Aw Come Aw Wry have no date stamp – it’s often these tracks which receive the best reception – they’re instant loves.  There is no doubt that Phosphorescent have picked up a fair few new fans, and consolidated the love of older ones too, with chatter between acts about how great “the opener” was.  There is also no doubt that when Phosphorescent come back to Europe, there’ll be one step closer to making that crucial big break that every indie band craves, even though currently there are no current plans to come back immediately.  However, after 200 days away from home, Phosphorescent could do with a peaceful break at home, sweet home.  As for now, scrawl Here’s to Taking It Easy on your Christmas list; hopefully Santa will bring you a little bit of that musical joy to enjoy, closing a genuinely great year of music to an outstanding end.

The National with Phosphorescent:

Matthew Houck11 November: Copenhagen, Denmark – Kb Hallen
14 November: Zagreb, Croatia – Bocarski Dom
16 November: Milan, Italy – Alcatraz
17 November: Cologne, Germany – E-Werk
18 November: Neu-Isenburg (Frankfurt), Germany – Hugenottenhalle
19 November: Luxembourg, Luxembourg – Den Atelier
20 November: Den Haag, Netherlands – Crossing Border Festival
21 November: Brussels, Belgium – Ancienne Belgique (AB)
23 November: Paris, France – Olympia
24 November: Bristol, U.K. – O2 Academy
25 November: Coventry, U.K. – Warwick Arts Centre
26 November: Glasgow, Scotland – O2 Academy
27 November: Manchester, U.K. – O2 Academy
30 November: London, U.K. – Brixton Academy
01 December: London, U.K. – Brixton Academy
02 December: Dublin, Ireland – Olympia Theatre
03 December: Dublin, Ireland – Olympia Theatre
04 December: Dublin, Ireland – Olympia Theatre

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