CHVRCHES Live Review | I caught CHVRCHES in their “bliss” phase | House of Blues Orlando | October 7 2014

by Mitch Foster • October 16, 2014

When a band only has one album out and you see them at a headlining show, it greatly decreases the chances of them not playing your favorite song. It’s a bliss phase that new bands who quickly rise to popularity go through. CHVRCHES is in that phase now.

It was strange how their music moved for them. There was not a lot of energy from the members of CHVRCHES individually, but, there was a hell of a lot of energy from CHVRCHES as a whole. It was appropriate for them to begin their 14 song set at House of Blues Orlando with “We Sink.” Appropriate because we sank, deep, deep into their backdrop, the illuminations, and the darkness in between. Here’s a shitty pic:

The crowd went wild in ways both good and bad. Singing along and dancing with hands strung up towards the sky were all the good. CHVRCHES performed the song that turned me on to them about halfway through their set, “Recover,” and the crowd gave off a lot of good. Here’s a shitty video I took on the Shows I Go To instagram:

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The bad was the group of insecure asses (both men and women) next to me. They would cheer and dance and make attention grabbing actions throughout the set. However, rarely were any of those actions directed towards the band. It was very disrespectful to the band. It was like they couldn’t handle the fact that someone else should have all the attention right then. The jerks who talk and make jokes throughout a show are merely making attempts to draw attention to themselves. Well, we all see you, bro, and, you’re an asshole.

It was Lauren Mayberry’s 28th birthday the night of CHVRCHES Live gig in Orlando. “I didn’t really do anything to be born.” Mayberry softly spoke. “I’ve now reached the rock and roll age of death.” She half-jokingly continued. Most of the audience took it upon themselves to sing Mayberry “Happy Birthday” after her comments while others simply screamed “Happy Birthday” or “I love you.” I said all those things, quietly in my head.

The opening track to CHVRCHES debut album, The Bones Of What You Believe, is a song I first heard on Sirius/XM’s Alt Nation a little over a year ago, titled “The Mother We Share.” And I can’t get enough of it, still, to this day. The minimalist approach to the pre-choruses and the loud staccato synths in the verses and choruses layered over a pure honest voice in Mayberry, gives this song everything it needs, and it took off, expectedly so. Also, there’s something adorable about the way she says “fuck.” Here’s a bit I caught on the Shows I Go To instagram:

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Upon recalling the band’s earlier adventure to Universal Studios and Islands Of Adventure (particularly the Harry Potter attractions), Mayberry conveys that she is “scared of every ride at both parks.” Scared in a good way, I presume, because she added that the parks in Orlando were her “favorite.” However, she is far from a fan of our Florida mosquitos. “I have this massive infection that I got from mosquito bites because I had an allergic reaction to them.” How’s that for a visual on the stunning Mr. Mayberry?

The CHVRCHES songs never really “turn up” which I believe leaves people wanting more. You’re not exhausted when you’re done with one, you’re ready for another. They put the one that “turns up” the most appropriately at the end of their set, titled “By The Throat.”

I’m more than stoked that I caught CHVRCHES in their “bliss” phase. I’m also looking forward to this band’s future. If I had a crystal ball, I bet I would see great things.

CHVRCHES Live Review by Mitch Foster