Headstash

STS9 - Dec. 28 - "Artifact themed blast from the past."

Headstash Magazine will have daily coverage of Phish, STS9, The Disco Biscuits, Umphrey's McGee's New Year's Runs as well as SnowGlobe festival in California. We'll also have in-depth coverage of Lotus, The New Deal, moe. and Pretty Lights.

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STS9's New Year's Eve run will take them back to The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia for five nights after a two-year hiatus from the venue. Stay tuned for coverage from all the nights.

December 27 - The Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA

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Photo Credit: Josh Cohan

December 28 – The Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA

Set I: musical story, yes > By The Morning Sun, Peoples, Grow, Once Told, ReEmergence > EB, Music, Us, What Is Love?
Set II: Twilight, GLOgli, Somesing, Crystal Instrument, Luma Daylight > Tokyo, One A Day, Baraka
Encore: Today, Vibyl

Crowd Atmosphere: With promises of an "Artifact" themed night, expectations were high and the energy in the room was palpable. No one was quite sure what to expect and people were giddy right until the start of the show.

Best Song: Music, Us (As ethereal and rocking as ever, it was a great choice for the penultimate slot in the first set.)

Bustout of the Night: Today

Photo Credit: Josh Cohan

Best Jam: GLOgli

Best Segue: ReEmergence > EB

Best Moment: Murph's demeanor during "Music, Us" was inspired

Sloppiest Moment: One A Day (Sloppy in terms of placement, not execution. Not necessarily the best spot for this song)

Lights Review: Saxton took control a bit more often tonight, though the LEDs were out in full force yet again. During "BTMS," the lights really accentuated the playing. Throughout the cans were dynamic and fast-moving and the colors were bright. No longer used for corny animations or amateur videos, the LEDs felt like they were conceptualized well albeit a bit overused.

Twitter Recap: 'Artifact' themed night with a few old-school songs thrown in for good measure.

Other Notes: After Murph yet again created hype via Facebook (how did we used to get excited about shows?) expectations were exceptionally high. Though the band didn't play "Artifact" all the way through as many (including myself) thought they would, they only left out a handful of songs and segues.

Opening with the expected first track of "musical story, yes," the band was silhouetted by images of people smoking blunts on the LED screens. A not-so-subtle but whimsical display not often seem with the band.

"By The Morning Sun" was a beautiful way to kick off the set and featured some excellent light work by Saxton. During the song, the lights really accentuated the playing and felt right at every impasse.

A pounding, emotional "Peoples" dropped next. Not often played early, it seemed necessary to get a harsher, dark song out of the way so people could release some aggression and get down.

Photo Credit: Josh Cohan

It was around this time everyone realized Murph had chosen his words carefully when he said the night would have an "Artifact" theme. They wouldn't be playing it sequentially nor was each track a guarantee.

After a raging end section of "Peoples" that prompted Zach off his cushy stool to implore the crowd to make some noise, a jazzy "Grow" calmed the place down with its infectious guitar-led groove. Saxton stepped up big during this song - the guy really does know the feel of each note and what buttons to hit.

An elevating version of "Once Told" featured some inspired playing and dynamic lighting. The band played firmly as a unit throughout the show but it was especially highlighted here.

A "ReEmergence > EB" segue was smooth and clean. Both songs - like much of the setlist - have a similar uplifting feel. Though the theme was "Artifact," virtually all the songs played that didn't come from that album surely could have been.

The highlight of the first set and the evening was "Music, Us" with its gorgeous vocal sample and bumping bass layered with soaring keys and guitar. The song hits close to home for many STS9 fans and is one of the most eerily alluring in their catalog.

After "Twilight," "Somesing" and a particularly well played and dark "Crystal Instrument" began the second set, the band launched into the familiar "Luma Daylight > Tokyo" segment.

It's impossible not to get down during the peaks and valleys of "Luma." The heavy drum and bass and growling synth evokes dark imagery which seems to come full circle when paired with a menacing "Tokyo."

Photo Credit: Josh Cohan

Ending the second set with "Baraka" was unexpected and a great cap to an awesome night.The familiar harmonics rang out as friends and strangers alike cheered and embraced.

Having been relegated mainly to the encore for special events and runs (see New Year's Eve 2010, Re:Generation, Colorado 2011 run), it was refreshing to see it close a show that felt like a celebration of all the best of STS9. "Artifact" is perhaps their most popular album and is certainly most celebrated. Fans had been itching for them to play it in its entirety for years and though last night wasn't exactly that, a "Baraka" show closer was meaningful and appropriate.

The disappointment from not hearing "Native End," "Better Day," "Possibilities" or "Trinocular" was certainly not uncommon, but the encore would quell some of those complaints.

The encore featured the biggest bust-out in "Artifact" track, "Today" which was airy and well-executed despite its time on the proverbial shelf. A funky "Vibyl" showcased the band's musicianship as night two was put in the books.

 

- Nick Rhodes

 

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Stay tuned as we continue to review STS9's New Year's Eve run and all your favorite bands as they countdown to 2012.

What did you think of the show? Let us know in the comments section.