Therapeutic, cinematic, cathartic – these are all words that can be used to some extent to help put the Explosions in the Sky experience across in some form of descriptive, written format. The truth is though, none of these can actually do justice to the fantastic melting pot of sound and vision that the five-piece gave to us. Yes, it appears that the group have expanded for the purpose of live performances, no longer content with being just a foursome. Fresh off the back of their release from earlier this month, The Wilderness sees the group explore further into their instrumental, post-rock sound. It sees them find new optimistic, utopian heights that were previously unexplored. The soundscapes have grown more daring, the musicianship has grown stronger and ultimately, they have produced one of the most mesmerising pieces of music that 2016 has delivered thus far.

I was told by a friend, before seeing Explosions in the Sky, that the experience is a complete journey, a complete adventure. Two terms that can often fall so flat as each word gives an otherworldly suggestion. The hype that those two phrases have built bands previously have often been the very shovels that dig their own graves, so with nervous anticipation I met the gig. Turns out, he was as right as rain.

Lights erupted onto the group as they took to the stage, shrouding the band within bright white lights and raindrop features that sprung down in front of them. As the only words that were spoken throughout the hour and a half set uttered a brief; “Hello, we are Explosions in the Sky, we are from Texas. We hope you have an enjoyable evening,” suggested this was to be a gig like no other. It was to be a complete immersive experience, showcasing segments of their latest LP along with splices of their previous sagas. The complexity of songs like ‘Tangle Formations’ rained upon us, with its moody beginning and its eruptive middle segments, the sound tonight was absolutely spot on. It was huge and completely washed around you, as the drums are brought on it thudded through your chest. Prior preconceived notions that tonight was to be awash with beard stroking musos was quickly dispelled as it became apparent that Explosions in the Sky really are a band for everybody. They drew from all segments of music fanbases, ultimately due to their cinematic presence.

As the set grew, it showcased the fantastic musicianship that each member tightly grips to. The likes of ‘The Ecstatics’ brung about different sensibilities with the electronic, trip-hop beat that cuts under the washing reversed guitar sounds. As soundscapes are built up, they erupt, swarm and melt around crowd members; icy blue lights are cast down upon the band members helping to set the scene. Each person onstage literally hold not just crowd members but their emotions on the tangible reaches of their strings, keys and drums; it’s a flurry of different impulses that race through your senses when experiencing a band like this. Warm rushes of happiness are dispersed with isolation, anxiety and love; it’s a cruel but highly addictive thrill to watch Explosions in the Sky.

The Wilderness is given a wide slice of tonight’s setlist seeing the vast majority of it being given its Brighton debut. The longest effort from the album, ‘Colours In Space’ sees the warmth of orange lighting cast upon the stage, this shifts and changes into washing waves of multicoloured layers giving it the feel of Gasper Noé’s Enter The Void. As hot as the sun when the orange burns underneath the music, it sees it fit as something that would not be out of place in a Christopher Nolan film. It’s an aural and sensual barrage, it takes you away and, as promised, it completely is otherworldly.

When the band step back into earlier material, the volume and intensity of the likes of ‘The Birth and Death of Day’ emphasises and stretches the show into new directions, it truly acts as the stand out song of the set. It’s a sympathetic song that resonates around The Dome, it’s filled with euphoria and ecstasy as the band build you up through a seven minute concourse to the climax. It’s mammoth as a sound and an emotional trigger for the night.

As the band seals the show with one of their earliest tracks, 2003’s ‘The Only Moment We Were Alone’ it becomes genuinely upsetting that they are finishing. Warped with soothing synth sounds and ringing guitars, layers and textures are built one on top of the other leaving the pulsating bass to be the kiss for the night. It’s glorious and confirms Explosions in the Sky to be one of the greatest live bands in the world right now. It was a night like no other and showed that music is often as good, if not better than words when it comes to processing and drawing emotion.

Tom Churchill

Website: explosionsinthesky.com
Facebook: facebook.com/ExplosionsInTheSkyMusic