Swans and Xiu Xiu

Swans rocked the sh!t out of Lincoln Hall a month ago and I'm finally getting around to posting some of my photos from their epic performance. Pardon the delay, but I blame it all on technology failing me for the past month. First my CF card malfunctioned while I was shooting Disclosure at Lincoln Park Zoo and I lost every image (sob!!!) and then my computer crashed out of nowhere and I had to buy a new one. SIGH. Anyway, I'm back up and running and trying to catch up on some of my posts so....back to SWANS! They are absolute No Wave legends, they sound better than ever, and they just released yet another killer album this year ("To Be Kind"). They also put on a hell of a show. Xiu Xiu kicked off the night with a solo noise set, quite a departure from his normal live act. To see more of my photos, head over to BV Chicago and/or Lincoln Hall.

Xiu Xiu 

Swans 

(This is Michael Gira. He is a genius and he's staring into my soul right here.)

Side note: I love this guy. Thor Harris. I've seen him play with Bill Callahan (one of my favorite musicians), Shearwater and now Swans. He's awesome. 

Xiu Xiu, Dirty Beaches, and Father Murphy

Well, I've been wanting to talk about this show for awhile but I waited to ensure confirmation before I announced that I am now officially a house photographer for Lincoln Hall and Schubas! Needless to say, I am BEYOND excited for this opportunity. I'm one step closer to my dream career and I couldn't be more grateful. Lincoln Hall granted me a trial opportunity for the Xiu Xiu, Dirty Beaches, and Father Murphy concert in May. I was simultaneously nervous to prove myself and ecstatic to see the bands live. Here are some of the photos from the night. For more of my photos from the show, please click here. From there, you can access the photos through Lincoln Hall's facebook page.

Father Murphy opened the show. They are an Italian band and have an avant-garde sound. Some of their songs reminded me of Joy Division, while others were more like Collections of Colonies of Bees (though perhaps not as minimalist and with a more metal edge).

Father Murphy 

Father Murphy members were really nice and let me photograph them eating some grub after their set.

Next up was Dirty Beaches. I am actually a huge fan (check out Badlands if you haven't already), so it was cool to photograph him on my first night shooting for Lincoln Hall. 

Just captivating live.

Dirty Beaches' Alex Zhang Hungtai drinking kombucha and his touring guitarist drinking Jameson backstage. I love it.

Headlining the night was Xiu Xiu - an experimental/punk/art rock band that shockingly few have heard of, so I refer to them as an iconic cult band. Xiu Xiu is the brainchild of Jamie Stewart (pictured above) and they are one of the most interesting live acts I've ever seen. It's clear, not just from his music but also from meeting him, that Stewart is an introspective, deep thinker. He was somber, quiet, and contemplative backstage, and utterly explosive on stage. Earlier in the night, as I was walking into Lincoln Hall, I noticed Stewart across the street in a small, corner park. He was standing perfectly still, staring up at a tree, and (I can only assume) listening to birds chirping to one another. I couldn't help but feel as if I'd stumbled upon this magical, illuminating window into his creative process. It was very cool. Here is a fantastic and accurate review of their set.

Jamie Stewart and Angela Seo

Angela Seo pounding the cymbals.

I was fortunate to get a few photos of Xiu Xiu backstage just minutes before they went on stage.