Photos by Alice Teeple
Walking through the heavens
Walking with your devils
Here comes another lesson
The lesson you’ll live, the lesson is life
Basking in the suave glory of their signature shades, Love and Rockets enthralled New York City on Friday night with a hit-filled set list and stunning light show. The crowd, a wildly diverse mix of generations and backgrounds, rhythmically swayed in a reverential manner on the densely packed floor. Some wore the uniforms of their youth, hoping to bottle up some magic from the last time they saw Love and Rockets play live. A few young children were even in the seats, wildly dancing as gleefully as the spidery goths spiraling in the orchestra pit.
A glorious projected sunrise lit the stage as the trio launched into the spectral pulse of the hypnotic “I Feel Speed” (from their 1989 self-titled album). Guitarist Daniel Ash, bedecked in brocade and ruffles, delivered a performance as shimmering as the starlit projections flickering on the grand canvas behind them. On his lofty pedestal sat the formidable Kevin Haskins, whose drumming was a maelstrom of pounding dexterity, combining an incandescent intensity with the precise craftsmanship of a Swiss watchmaker.
Nestled amongst this whirlwind of sound and spectacle was David J, the fetching figure in a suave burgundy velvet suit, cradling his black Fender bass like a cherished lover. The sounds he coaxed from it ranged from an animalistic, overdriven growl to a decadent waterfall of rich, luscious low notes. Kings Theatre itself transformed into the Rococo-revival vehicle of a psychedelic journey through their back catalogue.
The introduction to the clanging “No Big Deal” was heralded by the grungy strum of the bass, shrouded in the brooding glow of scarlet lights, but the thrilling throng of attendees erupted in joy as they found themselves bathed in the explosive power chords of “Kundalini Express.” The backdrop was a detonation of pulsating, surreal hues of a kaleidoscopic cosmos, intertwining with video footage of a journey along the endless rail tracks of the soul’s journey to nirvana. Ash conjured up a cacophonous solo, the spectacle spiralling into an intoxicating frenzy of guitar-shredding bedlam.
An American Dream and the galloping “Yin and Yang (The Flowerpot Man)” were standout performances in a night of virtuosity, the bubble light sculptures flanking the band pulsing twinkles as frenetic as the notes flying from three masterful musicians. To see this majestic trio expertly play in person was a treat indeed. Ash relished every shredding moment.
Enthusiastic devotees chanted in unison with the revered classic “No New Tale to Tell,” a cornerstone from Love and Rockets’ evocative 1987 offering, Earth, Sun, Moon, while Ash strummed an acoustic guitar. Their monumental masterpiece “So Alive” – the undeniable highpoint of their eponymous 1989 album – resonated throughout Kings Theatre, amplified by pre-recorded harmonies that brought a certain depth to the otherwise stark and minimalistic arrangement. The notorious, iconic women’s legs from the original music video gyrated rhythmically, ghostlike, across the backdrop, infusing the scene with nostalgia, anarchy, and just the right touch of scandal.
The first encore was comprised of the majestic alternative rock guitar masterpiece, “Holiday On The Moon,” the soul-healing mantra “Love Me,” and their passionate cover of the Temptations classic “Ball of Confusion.” The latter’s caustic commentary on the political circus and brutal undertones of racial tensions, is both a harsh relic of the past and a disquieting anthem of the present – a testament to the cyclic nature of societal struggles, the eternally revolving stage of history. (Notably, the late, great Tina Turner made her comeback covering the tune with BEF in 1982, opening the door for Love and Rockets’ cover in 1985.)
After thunderous applause, the band returned for the second encore, a gently lilting outro for a lovely night: 1997’s Sweet F.A.
Set list:
Encore 1:
Encore 2:
As Love And Rockets’ reunion tour draws nears its end, the band members – Daniel Ash, David J, and Kevin Haskins – will depart with a farewell present: their new double CD, My Dark Twin, out now via Beggars. The 22-track companion piece to their 1996 sixth studio album Sweet F.A. includes eight previously unreleased versions and six new songs from the recording sessions, unearthed as part of their vinyl reissue initiative. The campaign, which has seen high demand for the band’s reissued albums on colored vinyl, has a final release still unannounced.
Order My Dark Twin here.
Love and Rockets Tour Dates:
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