Riverside - 9/12 - New Brunswick, NJ
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Live Performance Reviews
Forum Description: Performance Reviews by Members
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=51751
Printed Date: December 04 2024 at 20:57
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Topic: Riverside - 9/12 - New Brunswick, NJ
Posted By: dave-the-rave
Subject: Riverside - 9/12 - New Brunswick, NJ
Date Posted: September 13 2008 at 13:27
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What a treat! A friend and I saw Riverside last night at the Crossroads Theater in New Brunswick, NJ. The place holds probably 400 people; we sat last row center, which was also 8th row center! The band put on an excellent performance. I have the three CD's (Out of Myself, Second Life Syndrome & Rapid Eye Movement), but the songs all sort of blend together in my head as having that 'Riverside sound,' and that's what the band delivered with power and soulfulness (as well as their unique take on "Shine on, You Crazy Diamond). The lead singer (you can look up his name; I apologize but it escapes me now) played his a** off on bass guitar, delivered both those semi-death metal growls and loud whispers when called for and sang with melancholic warmth. He and the drummer provided a strong rhythmic foundation for all of the songs. Lead guitar was excellent, both technically and emotionally, and the phalanx of three keyboards lent tons of atmosphere to the tracks. While I was initially concerned that the power of the live performance would overwhelm the detail that you hear on their well-produced CD's, that was not the case. The live versions were different, but in a good way— they were extraordinarily powerful, often falling into a strong, hypnotic groove. There were several standing ovations throughout the performance from a very enthusiastic crowd. The band played for an hour and a half, including two numbers in the encore; no complaints there. The mix was pretty good, though I would have upped the guitar by 10% and lowered the bass by 10%; I guess it sounds different depending on where you sit. No light show or graphic presentation, just 4 guys with their instruments and their amps, complete with extension cords running across the floor. Believe me, it was more than enough— these guys have n exciting future ahead of them. |
Replies:
Posted By: tazburns
Date Posted: September 13 2008 at 18:37
| Amazing show especially considering the "minimalist" stage show (ie- lack of lighting changes). Very well received by the NJ Proghouse crowd. Well done! Bring them back soon- worth the trip from Connecticut. I have a few (lousy) pix but can't figure out how to post them. Oh well... |
Posted By: Plankowner
Date Posted: September 13 2008 at 22:17
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I can't tell you how excited I was when we went upstairs and saw the seating for this show. I only counted 270 seats! Been working on the set list, but the instrumentals are throwing me off...
1. Instrumental 2. Out of Myself 3. Rainbow Box 4. The Same River 5. I Turn You Down 6. Reality Dream III 7. Back to the Same River 8. Conceiving You 9. Dance with the Shadow 10. I Believe 11. The Curtain Falls 12. Lucid IV 13. Panic Room (seemed to be the remix version)
Sound about right?
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Posted By: Infinite Echo
Date Posted: September 18 2008 at 19:50
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Thank you NJProghouse for making this once in a lifetime concert happen!
Seeing Riverside in such a small venue was almost surreal, it was like they were playing in your living room. I thought the sound was incredible, very clear and not too overbearing.
I was suprised that they didn't play 'Loose Heart' - maybe they ran out of time? Although I was glad they played 'I Believe', one of my favorite songs and it was a totally different version than the 2 they've released so far.
The whole band were tight, yet loose - I think they had a good time. I sure hope they come back in the near future.
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Posted By: Plankowner
Date Posted: September 21 2008 at 03:42
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k, the set list:
1. Lucid Dream IV
2. Out of Myself
3. Rainbow Box
4. The Same River
5. I Turn You Down
6. Reality Dream III
7. Back to the Same River
8. Conceiving You
9. Dance with the Shadow
10. I Believe
11. The Curtain Falls
12. The Ultimate Trip (First part of it)
13. Panic Room
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Posted By: threefates
Date Posted: September 21 2008 at 23:05
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I attended this show also and was very glad I did. I've seen Riverside in concert before (Nearfest), but find now that they have progressed into a more mature, progressive sound that comes across better live than it did before. Their studio albums are great, but live I always found them to be a bit lacking. However, now, they sounded terrific!
Some pics I took:
     ------------- THIS IS ELP 
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Posted By: Infinite Echo
Date Posted: September 22 2008 at 13:07
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AMAZING shots!
Would love to see all that you have!
John
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Posted By: Carbon
Date Posted: September 23 2008 at 15:57
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Thanks for the pics :) Riverside is definitively an amazing live band. I saw them twice and they were conveying so much energy 
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Posted By: Takeshi Kovacs
Date Posted: October 08 2008 at 15:47
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I second that, saw them last year at the Camden Underworld (another relatively small venue) and they were excellent. There's a lot to be said about the intimacy and atmosphere of these smaller venues and they would be my choice every day of the week over large stadiums (stadia?).
-------------  Open the gates of the city wide....
Check out my music taste: http://www.last.fm/user/TakeshiKovacs/ |
Posted By: hightea
Date Posted: June 06 2009 at 22:34
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great show agree about the small venue sounded great. Riverside really has progressed from the Nearfest show.
Can't wait to hear the new album
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2858382668_4a2956ab4f.jpg - http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2858382668_4a2956ab4f.jpg
rest here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/high-tea/sets/72157607293372774/ - http://www.flickr.com/photos/high-tea/sets/72157607293372774/
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