Live music review: Sleigh Bells returned to riotous roots at Mohawk Austin
“They’re going on at 7:30 to avoid the impending monsoon.”
All day, grey skies threatened to rain over Austin last Wednesday. Sleigh Bells were set to play their only outdoor show of their Unannounced Album tour at Mohawk, calculating the risk of moving their set time from 8:30 p.m. last Wednesday. The duo, comprised of Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller, had begun their circuit to promote their latest album Texis, a welcome return to their riotous roots.
Moodie Black, from El Paso (now based in Los Angeles) opened the show with a sensory overload of noise rap while bandleader, Kdeath gyrated across the stage. On par with the spirit of October, Kdeath put on a string of Mardi Gras beads with a baby doll head attached as she screamed into the mic. Halfway through the set, she tore down the projection screen displaying black and white, post-apocalyptic scenes. They certainly got the attention of fans as Moodie Black warmed the stage for the headliners.
Shortly after, Sleigh Bells took to the stage, opening with “Justine Go Genesis”, a popular track off the Texis album. Krauss stepped on stage, channeling Joan Jett in a boxy jean jacket and mullet with hot pink fringe. “I’m a concrete, cavity girl; the best night of your life; I really wanna blow your mind” Krauss promised the audience from the get go.
During the song, “Demons,” Miller sweated across stage, hair dripping from the stifling Texas humidity. As the guitarist played rowdy riffs, the crowd head-banged on. By the middle of the tune, a mosh pit of large guys erupted during the chorus, scrambling those near the edge of the stage.
Sleigh Bells slowed down the tempo with “I Can Only Stare” from their Jessica Rabbit album. The tune showcased Krauss’ vocals in a late 80’s ballad-format while shrouded in spooky, neon green spotlights backlit with navy blue hues.
“I really want to be in the crowd.” Krauss parted what was just previously a frothing mosh pit the song prior as she joined the audience for “Rill Rill” for the first song of a two-song encore. The crowd made room as she stepped off the stage into the throng as a protective bubble formed around her.
Sleigh Bells wrapped up an incredible performance by playing classic hit “Crown on the Ground.”
“Set, set that crown, crown!”
But make no mistake, we knew which band deserved that crown last week. The thundering sound of Sleigh Bells waned in the monsoon that arrived later on that evening.
All photos Drew Doggett
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