Long Time Coming: Boris Levels Webster Hall with Nothing, 9/2/2022 (Live Report)
Going into what some consider to be the last true weekend of the summer, NYC’s Webster Hall was set to be the stage for a disparate show featuring Philadelphia’s Nothing as well as the inimitable Boris, hot on the heels of their newest edition of Heavy Rocks. The legendary Japanese crew was on tap to headline with the mid-Atlantic’s answer to shoegaze as their lone support.
Nothing has been in a state of flux since the departure of bassist Kyle Kimball earlier in 2022 in order to help raise his young son. Replacing him for their first full US tour since is Christina Michelle of Fort Lauderdale hardcore punk band Gouge Away. The band heavily featured their most recent LP The Great Dismal with a mix of everything else they’ve previously released, sweeping up the crowd into an ethereal dream. Their fantasy atmosphere completely enveloping those congregating with us in lower Manhattan.
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Boris continued their tour staples, playing a ton of tracks from the 2022 edition of Heavy Rocks with guest drummer Mike Engle of Crawl—normal drummer Atsuo took the helm and gave off plenty of Iggy Pop meets Ian Astbury vibes throughout the night. The guitar duo of Wata and Takeshi is an incredible live sight to take in, with Wata’s fretboard seeming like it would burst into flames at a moment’s notice and Takeshi’s double neck guitar, most famously featured on the cover art for the band’s own Akuma No Uta, being played with expertise and ease.
Also featured heavily was the band’s 2020 album No, which the band was never able to tour in this country due to the ongoing global pandemic. Both albums sounded fresh and the raucous crowd got behind all the tracks including the closing track on the most recent album, “(not) Last Song.” There, Wata assumed keyboard duties for the majority of its playthrough while Atsuo worked through some pained howls before both guitarists resumed their signature riffs. The show closed with Boris and Nothing teaming up for “X” and sending everyone home happy.
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See the set lists here.
Upcoming Boris tour dates:
2022.09.12 (MON) Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
2022.09.14 (WED) Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
2022.09.15 (THU) Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
2022.09.17 (SAT) Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
2022.09.18 (SUN) Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
2022.09.20 (TUE) Sacramento, CA @ Harlow’s
2022.09.21 (WED) San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
2022.09.22 (THU) Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater
2022.09.24 (SAT) Mexico City, MX @ House of Vans
