Akron/Family - Love Is Simple (2007) 3/08/2008

On June 4, 1976, the Sex Pistols played their first show in Manchester. The energy was intense, and the crowd of roughly 42 was so inspired that they went on to form bands like the Buzzcocks, Joy Divison, The Fall, The Smiths, and others.

Last night at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, the crowd of 100 sat in the theatre-esque setting watching Brooklyn-based Akron/Family, the free-jazz, freak-folk, experimental project. After two songs, it was clear that Akron/Family was not vibing the seating. After some coaxing, they had the crowd standing, singing, clapping, and eventually crowded up front dancing and playing percussion along to the entire set. The energy was so high, and I felt the sort of inspiration that could only come from such an intimate setting with such a fantastic band.

The albums don't do the live show justice. How could you capture the ambient percussive jams fueled by crowd chanting? How can you capture the energy? The environment? The pure randomness of the situation?

I've uploaded their latest album Love Is Simple just to give an idea of what their live show involves. Of course, most of this is changed up live, but you still will get the idea

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QC90DDIT