Headstash

REVIEW: STS9 Heating Up In Austin, TX

Photo Credit: Katherine Leacroy

Temperatures had been over 100 degrees in Austin, TX for going on seventy days when Sound Tribe Sector Nine rolled into the live music capital of the world to finish off their summer tour with a two-night stint at Stubb’s BBQ’s famous outdoor amphitheater last weekend.

As the lights dimmed, the crowd roared and the beginning notes of 90s dance group Dee-Lite’s hit single “What is Love?” began to play over the front of house speakers. Seasoned Tribe fans smiled in eager anticipation one of STS9’s most well-known and loved covers.

“What is Love” is a beautiful way to start off a set. From the opening notes of David Murphy’s thumping bass, Waller Creek Amphitheater was moving fast. Guitarist Hunter Brown played extremely well all evening without a single flub. From his minimalist playing at the beginning of the song to the soaring riff about three quarters of the way through, Hunter's tone and precision were impeccable.

[FIND a complete list of tour dates on STS9's official website.]

Photo Credit: Katherine Leacroy

Next, the boys went into an “Instantly” that was super hyped and even showcased a new jammed out section where Murph was gettin' funky. By the end of just the second song, the venue was literally pulsating.

Although the song selection lacked the typical fall or winter tour variation, the band’s energy level was super high and you could tell that they were really enjoying playing for one another and for the people of ATX.

After a 14-minute “Move My Peeps” that featured some tireless drumming from Zach Velmer, STS9 dove into an exploratory “Tooth,” followed by a couple tracks off their penultimate full-length album, “Peaceblaster.

I’ve typically not a huge fan of “Beyond Right Now” and “Hidden Hand, Hidden Fist,” however I realized on this night that it’s not always about how old a track is, but more about enjoying the present moment and feeding off what the boys are putting out. Friday night at Stubb’s, the band was definitely feeling it, and it showed. After “HHHF” was an “Atlas > Inspire Strikes Back” section to end the first set with a nice little reworked section in “Atlas” that departed from the usual midi overload.

The second set started much like the first one ended with the glitchy dance beats of  “New New 4 U U” before launching into the best four-song run of the night, beginning with a throwback to the Tribe of old. After a spooky and well played “Evasive Maneuvers” that left you feeling like you were careening through space on an intergalactic getaway, STS9 pulled out one of their better known segues and went into a killer “Kamuy.”

This song was everything it should be with Hunter taking center stage while Velmer and percussionist Jeffree Lerner manned their duties on the skins – jungle jam style. It was a welcome tune for many who had been awaiting the return of this popular segue and it did not disappoint.

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Then came “20-12,” a tune off their most recent EP “When The Dust Settles,” which was new to many in the audience and very well received. This song has only been played a handful of times and really embodies the positivity and great energy that STS9 is all about. It will be nice if the boys experiment with it like they have their other tracks from that album.

Photo Credit: Katherine Leacroy

As “20-12” concluded, the gem of the night appeared, the melodic and stunning “Breathe In,” a classic song that takes listeners on a ride that can only be described as blissful exuberance. Keyboardist David Phipps shines on this tune and he was absolutely phenomenal on Friday night. The precision and care Phipps takes with each note really create the perfect soundscape for Velmer’s percussive rhythms to take flight and lead concertgoers to that one place during the show where they are invited to think, “This is it. This is why I’m here.”

They closed with two popular and often played jams with “EHM” and “Arigato.” After, Murph the vocal leader of the band took his position to thank the crowd for their endurance and energy.

“Austin, Texas, I would play music for you every night,” the recent cancer survivor yelled into the mic, “Thank you! We love you! Goodnight!”

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After a few minutes the jamtronica quintet reemerged to the cheers of many and began their encore, a reworked “Moonsocket.” The first section sounded similar to the acoustic version debuted in late 2009, while the second part was different as well. It’s fun to see the band revisiting songs off their debut album, playing with it and utilizing new sounds and techniques as they evolve both as musicians and people.

I feel like this is what the most recent tour and past year in general has been about for STS9. They may not be playing as wide a range of songs as they have on previous tours. They may not be taking as many risks with “bust outs” as they have in the past or improvising nearly as often. But one thing is for certain: the boys are loving life.

It’s evident in the way they look at one another on stage, the humble appreciation they show for the crowd and the sheer tenacity that they take to every venue each night.

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08.26.11 – Waller Creek Amphitheater – Austin, TX
Set I: What Is Love?, Instantly, Move My Peeps, Tooth, Beyond Right Now, Hidden Hand, Hidden Fist, Atlas > Inspire Strikes Back
Set II: New New 4 U U, Evasive Maneuvers > Kamuy, 20-12, Breathe In, EHM, Arigato
Encore: Moonsocket

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Photo Credit: Katherine Leacroy

Friday night may have been hot but Saturday would take it to a whole other level as temperatures topped out at 108 degrees – a foreshadowing of things to come.

STS9 came out with guns blazing, and while not the most unusual of tracks, the opening “Shock Doctrine” was flawless and inspired. Lighting designer Saxton Waller, who absolutely crushed it during both nights of the run, painted the canvas with red and silver lighting that set the mood just right as the band ripped through one of its most popular “Peaceblaster” tracks.

The first set really did not offer any surprises as far as setlist goes, in fact most of the songs were repeats off the recent Cali run as were most from the entire weekend. However, some songs, like “The Unquestionable Supremacy of Nature” and “Empires,” had extended jams and all the tunes were extremely well played.

Much like on Friday, STS9 played with so much energy and intention throughout the entire weekend, especially Murph.

Photo Credit: Katherine Leacroy

When I heard the debut of “When The Dust Settles” on New Year’s Eve in Denver, I was not impressed, but this song has grown by leaps and bounds with each show. Now, Phipps’ playing is more emphasized and it’s a more danceable groove and much less abrasive.

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The second set started off with their remix of the Nine Inch Nails tune “Closer,” that usually segues into “Tooth,” however, having played Tooth the night before Sector 9 decided to change it up a bit and dropped into “Scheme” another oft-played track off their most recent EP.

“Scheme” has evolved as well since its inception, and it seems to be finding its way. Scheme segued into “Rent,” a fun track that had the crowd getting down hard. Phipps also stands out on this cut for me and tonight was no exception. He played his part, experimenting and tickling the ivories ever so nicely.

Next, STS9 segued into a track that was a welcome sound for many ears and a nice departure from the thus far typical set with a beautiful and heartfelt “Grow.” It’s an airy, light and melodic track and fits so well with the song title.

Next up was another tour stalwart, “One A Day,” and then “Aimlessly,” that featured a nice bass jam that had the crowd howling. Murph took the mic and thanked the crowd for their love all weekend and reflecting back the energy that the band was putting out.

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Photo Credit: Katherine Leacroy

However the truest token of appreciation was still to come. The feeling that something special was to drawing near hung heavy in the air, and it wasn’t the humidity. Then, it came as Murph plucked the opening harmonics to “Baraka.” After a night of mostly typical, albeit well played, tracks, this song came as a breath of fresh air and lifted many souls to a higher consciousness.

Saxton painted a beautiful canvas as the boys seemingly put every ounce of heart and soul into a song that translates as “blessing” across a litany of languages.

An encore of “Circus” rang out after a short break with Hunter’s bouncy and playful guitar licks highlighting the track and lifting the crowd. The final segment of the night was a sweet, fast-paced and extremely on-point “Surreality > EB.”

As the epic weekend came to a close many seasoned fans and new tribe lovers alike agreed on one thing: the playing of the weekend was exceptionally tight. The second set and encore of Saturday night once again proved STS9 is an amazingly talented group of musicians who can, on any given night, wow their fans with rare song selection or extreme musical prowess.

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08.27.11 – Waller Creek Amphitheater – Austin, TX
Set I: Shock Doctrine, The Unquestionable Supremacy of Nature, Abcees, Golden Gate, Lo Swaga, F. Word, Empires > When The Dust Settles
Set II: Nine Inch Nails Intro > Scheme > Rent > Grow, One A Day, Aimlessly, Baraka
Encore: Circus, Surreality > EB

 

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STS9 is hitting North Coast before heading to Colorado for a night at Denver’s Ogden Theater and two nights at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison. For a complete list of fall dates, check out the band's official website.