ACLFest: Spiritualized

As evidenced by their now-classic Live at Royal Albert Hall double album, Spiritualized are adept at translating their dense, orchestral rock into a live setting. Unfortunately, the band’s listless 5:30 set on the Dell Stage failed to live up to the band’s transcendental moniker. Founder J. Spaceman led his band through a series of numbers new and old, but despite a rousing rendition of “Come Together” late in the set, he mostly stuck to mid-tempo material off this year’s Songs In A&E album. Sonically adventurous though it was, the late-afternoon set time called for more energy than the band seemed able to muster. --Matthew Dewitt

Eric Uhlir

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By matthew dewitt in Arts & Entertainment on September 27, 2008 6:35 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

seth

Matthew,

You're a better writer than that. Please avoid starting sentences with 'that said.'

Spiritualized was the ONLY thing on the ACL roster this year that I was interested in. Sounds like I missed a cool set. Oh, well. Business trip.

Seth

matthew dewitt

I think what it boils down to, for me, is that Spiritualized aren't a festival band; meaning, that their brand of introverted, stylized rock music is more likely to hold one's attention in a darkened hall than in a swirling dustcloud in the middle of the day. That said, they drew a huge crowd and had everybody talking afterwards, so I know I'm in the minority on this one.

QueenieB

Count me a believer. After a hectic, overheated afternoon, Spiritualized satisfied my soul. Soaring and poignant - may well have been Saturday's best, though I was blown away by the precision and beauty of Plant/Krause and band.

marcosIsClever

I have to disagree. Spiritualized was the best act on Saturday. Their combination of psychedelic, space-y guitar, J. Spaceman's fragile voice, and gospel singers is amazing. Their rendition of "Amazing Grace" and "Ladies and Gentleman we are floating in space" was perfect.