Alt-j Exceeded Expectations at Mercury Lounge [photos]

Photo Credit: Alex Munro

Last night, while I was walking to see Alt-J (@alt_j) at Mercury Lounge, I realized there hadn’t been a show I was that excited to see in quite a long time. All day, I was anxiously waiting to head to the venue, for them to come on, and so excited to be a part of the sold out crowd. This was the kind of excited that easily lets you down given the high expectations involved — expectations that artists rarely meet. I’m incredibly pleased to tell you that my expectations were not only met, but exceeded. Damn, you guys, that was an amazing show.

The night began with Brooklyn based Ilumntr, whose vocal harmonies and onslaught of noise filled up the room. After a short set, the UK four-piece Alt-J took the stage, and the energy skyrocketed. The band’s debut album, An Awesome Wave, hasn’t been released in the US, but it was difficult to tell based on the crowd’s reaction to every song. The entire audience seemed to sing every word, respond with cheers to every song and know exactly when to start dancing. The band reciprocated this energy through and through, with their tight rhythms and harmonies never swaying and their wildly percussive sound beating away.

The best moment came at the end when they played their single “Breezeblocks”. With an amazing show behind them and plenty of time taken out the thank the crowd, the boys ripped into the song, and the audience responded with wave after wave of cheering, clapping and dancing. Stunningly, the excitement leaving the show was more than the excitement I had arriving.