I was fortunate enough (understatement) to get tickets for the sold out Soft Pack/Arctic Monkeys show at the Glasshouse in Pomona this week. Though I’d already seen the Soft Pack once and Arctic Monkeys twice, I was really just excited to see them in such an intimate venue. Granted, Arctic Monkeys are one of my all-time favorite bands. There are times when I would rather stay in and listen to Arctics by myself than hang out with a lot of people–a slightly sad but true statement. And I’ve met and bonded with some of my best friends over Arctic Monkeys. They’re just one of those bands that if you love them, you loooooooove them. In any case, I was pretty stoked to see them again.
The Soft Pack opened for them and got the energy in the place really stirring. They’re just some cool dudes with cool style. Their beach-rock vibes are quite addictive and make for a pretty rad live performance. My only complaint was that their set was really short. I’d love to see them again, hopefully with a longer set list.
The Soft Pack-Extinction
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20soft%20packkkkkk/08%20Extinction.mp3]
The Soft Pack-Right & Wrong
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20soft%20packkkkkk/01%20Right%20%26%20Wrong.mp3]
The Soft Pack-Answer to Yourself
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20soft%20packkkkkk/03%20Answer%20To%20Yourself.mp3]
The Soft Pack-Beside Myself
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20soft%20packkkkkk/02%20Beside%20Myself.mp3]
I don’t really know where to begin with the Arctics’ performance other than it was all around the best experience I’ve ever had at a concert. It completely exceeded my expectations–which were high, mind you, because Arctics have a reputation as being stellar live performers. Their energy was incredible, their sound spot on. And on top of that, the entire audience was in love. The fact that the Glasshouse is such a small venue (the stage isn’t really a stage at all, it’s more of a ramp) only amplified the experience. My only qualm with their set list was that it ended. Other than that, they played everything I would have wanted them to, including two of their S.I.A.S. b-sides, Evil Twin and R U Mine? They came back for an encore and played Suck It and See, Fluorescent Adolescent and closed with 505. I hate to sound melodramatic or trite, but this show was the closest I have ever been to perfection. I’m dying to see them again in another small venue.
Arctic Monkeys-Do Me a Favour
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20soft%20packkkkkk/07%20Do%20Me%20A%20Favour.mp3]
Arctic Monkeys-Suck It and See
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20soft%20packkkkkk/11%20Suck%20It%20And%20See.mp3]
Arctic Monkeys-Love Is a Laserquest
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20soft%20packkkkkk/10%20Love%20Is%20A%20Laserquest.mp3]
Arctic Monkeys-Evil Twin
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20soft%20packkkkkk/Evil%20Twin.mp3]
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