Alt-J’s complicated game earns a bright reception at packed Greek Theatre

Michelle Shiers on
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Two and a half years since their first Los Angeles show at Bardot, U.K. rockers Alt-J took the stage on Monday night at the Greek Theatre – now with a second album and a Mercury Prize under their belt. Although the band lost original bassist Gwil Sainsbury earlier in the year, they performed just has magnetically with touring bassist Cameron Knight in tow.

Backlit in a red and white lights, Alt-J opened the night with “Hunger Of The Pine” from the new album “This Is All Yours,” which was released last month, and “Fitzpleasure” from 2012’s “An Awesome Wave.” Their new material flowed well with the old and the band showed off more of their signature multi-textured sound
that kept fans moving to their (at times) un-danceable alt-rock. Older tracks got the greatest response, including the delicate “Matilda” which allowed for a widespread sing-along which prompted singer Joe Newman’s unshakable grin.

Alt-J sound complicated and cerebral, and with the lack of any cymbals, drummer Thom Green’s syncopated rhythms perpetuate their math-rock tag. Too often, bands will get too mechanical with their arrangements too cognitive with their melodies, losing the feel of the music as a whole. Not so with Alt-J who tie their gorgeous layered tracks together with Gregorian harmonies and disorienting but very present emotion.

“Bloodflood” (predictably or cleverly) preceded “Bloodflood Pt. II” and fan favorite “Tesselate,” where we are reminded just how geeky these guys might be for the fact that they have a favorite shape. The groove heavy “The Gospel Of John Hurt” lead into the four-song encore which closed with their hit single “Breezeblocks,” getting every one up out of their seats to move. Alt-J add and subtract from their trip-hop in just the right places and like both good musicians and mathematicians, they draw beauty out of simplicity and weave passion from complexity.

Openers and Alt-J labelmates The Acid managed to hold attention despite the complete lack of visual stimulation. Comprised of British DJ/producer Adam Freeland, Californian producer/composer Steve Nalepa and Australia-bred, L.A.-based singer-songwriter Ry Cuming, the Acid do conceptual electronica, making them the perfect supporting band for Alt-J. Their songs sounded huge as they performed in dark blue light with singer Cuming’s droney vocals leaving room for experimental bleeps and sonic transparency. Their sparse rhythms created just the right amount of space for seamless strangeness and an overall eerie and progressive soundscape.

Photos by Michelle Shiers