Metric w/ Half Moon Run
The Fillmore
Sept. 17, 2012
For the most part, Metric's 15-song set cruised along as expected — energetic synth-rock driven by the vocals and high-stepping of singer Emily Haines. Set against a wall of square lights, the band cruised through a handful of hits — including "Youth Without Youth," "Help I'm Alive" and "Gold Guns Girls" — and songs from its latest album, Synthetica.
However, it was the last of a trio of encore songs that stood out from the pack. Haines and guitarist James Shaw stood front and center of the stage, bathed in a few white lights and performed an acoustic version of "Gimme Sympathy." It not only gave Haines time to shine as a vocalist against a simpler backdrop, but brought forth a stronger connection to the 1,000 or so people in attendance.
The song was the perfect bookend to a night that got started with a 40-minute set by Half Moon Run. The Montreal-based quartet drew growing applause throughout its set as the band won over the crowd with a combination of sparse indie-folk, stellar harmonies and, at times, heavy percussion.
The beauty in the band's music came from the splashes of falsetto vocals, layering of textures without sounding cluttered and an overall easy delivery, exemplified on the song "Nerve." At the end of every song, there was a feeling of — "I'd like to hear that one again."
Half Moon Run was the perfect example of why it's good to give every band on a bill a chance. Keep an eye out for them in the future...
Encore
Monster Hospital
Gold Guns Girls
Gimme Sympathy (acoustic)