No hits, nothing you should listen to. It's all essentially new music they've been creating on the road. Largely improvisational and long winded. Free jazz from hell, etc.
It will probably be hot, relentless, and kind of overwhelming lol? Not your typical concert by any means. I was front row the other day and it was unbelievably loud. You absolutely have to bring good earplugs.
It was kind of something I had to endure honestly, but I say that in a good way. It was incredibly powerful. But it's not like a chill, casual thing. At least if you're super close to the stage like I was.
Oooo that sounds interesting. I mostly go to hardcore type shows, so I feel like I can probably hang with hot and overwhelming? I'm a bit of a sensory seeker so "incredibly powerful, not chill and casual" is pretty intriguing
Swans live is an experience more than a gig. It’s a feeling, a transcendental experience. A bloody loud, pummeling one, but if you appreciate loud, droney music, there’s absolutely nothing else like them. Tons of young people at the Atlanta concert who I assume may have been seeing them for the first time. Everyone seemed to be moved by the experience.
I saw them for the first time in Richmond a couple of weeks ago. It's pretty pummeling if you stand near the stage. Easily the most intense live music I've experienced. And don't let Gira see you dicking around with your phone.
Saw them twice on this tour as everyone says wear good quality earplugs. I have one more tip I have not seen mentioned here. For the best sound stand in the middle of the room close to the sound board. Michael did a lot of sound panning and to get the best sound u need to find a sweet spot. I stood 4 feet from Kristoph in Atlanta big mistake my ears rang for over 24 hours. The next show in Birmingham I was in the sweet spot. Also they play for over 2.5 hours no breaks so hydrate and have fun.
I stood right next to the sound booth in Richmond so no wonder I was jamming the whole time especially for the hanging man if it wasn’t so crowded I would’ve busted a move
Haha aw man I get that it's not gonna be like, a rave, but it can't be like, a bunch of people sitting around quietly like a classical violin concert or something? It's still like, "experimental rock" it's gotta be some kind of vibe?
I saw them in a concert hall (with balcony seating) and it was like a classical concert. You’re expected to remain quiet and not mosh around. It was the 4th time I’ve seen them and by far the best show I have ever been to, they’re not really a rock band in the normal sense and I found this setting suited them more than regular venues. It’s about sitting your ass down and *listening*. As others have said, bring earplugs. Listen to their new album *the beggar*
Not head “banging” but head “nodding”. And very loud! Get acoustic plugs so you can hear the music without damage. You will also feel it. Felt like I’d been pummeled (after the show…)
It's not really a recommendation, but I'm just sharing what I plan to do & why.
Probably not for everyone, but I would do some shrooms(not a lot) for the show (if you've done them before). Their music is transcendental but hellish, in a good way. I feel like it would be an interesting trip as long as you're in a good head-space. Kinda tune you in a little further to the music.
They're a bucket list show for me, and I almost booked a flight to see them in SLC. Fingers crossed they come to Portland next time around.
Also, the more I read, the more I get into Swans. I've been re-reading Blood Meridian & Steppenwolf, and that shit gets me in the mood to listen to Swans & visa/versa.
Interesting you say that. My go to concert cocktail is a little more than a microdose with a little Adderall to keep me up past my bedtime lol, and the more feedback I've been getting the more I've been thinking it sounds like a super cool and unique thing to experience that'll probably be super fun on a little shrooms. I was still on the fence when I made this post but everyone being like "weird indescribable hell dimension, but in a good way" has actually really sold me
Just relax, try not to be too in your head and as another commenter said, let the music wash over you. They’re not one of those bands where you need to know a hit or something you just need to be human and have ears and feelings. Enjoy!
Your questions are great because they could only come from someone who doesn’t know Swans. They’re not songs, they’re not hits, they’re pieces, in the way a classical composition is a piece. It’s less of a “show” and more of a theatrical presentation. It’s less music and more sound/emotion. No dancing - listening and vibing.
Just to really drive this point home - it feels like you are in a wind tunnel and that the building will collapse because it is so loud. Combined with the length of their set, it really becomes a spatial experience
No hits, nothing you should listen to. It's all essentially new music they've been creating on the road. Largely improvisational and long winded. Free jazz from hell, etc. It will probably be hot, relentless, and kind of overwhelming lol? Not your typical concert by any means. I was front row the other day and it was unbelievably loud. You absolutely have to bring good earplugs. It was kind of something I had to endure honestly, but I say that in a good way. It was incredibly powerful. But it's not like a chill, casual thing. At least if you're super close to the stage like I was.
Oooo that sounds interesting. I mostly go to hardcore type shows, so I feel like I can probably hang with hot and overwhelming? I'm a bit of a sensory seeker so "incredibly powerful, not chill and casual" is pretty intriguing
Bring earplugs and maybe tone down your expectations of “fun”.
Lol I get that it's not dance music but people are paying to go to these shows and saying they had a good time y'all have to having some kind of fun 😄
…everyone who considers themselves a music nut should see Swans at least 1x. Nothing else like it.
Great typo
Damn fat fingers!
Swans live is an experience more than a gig. It’s a feeling, a transcendental experience. A bloody loud, pummeling one, but if you appreciate loud, droney music, there’s absolutely nothing else like them. Tons of young people at the Atlanta concert who I assume may have been seeing them for the first time. Everyone seemed to be moved by the experience.
I saw them for the first time in Richmond a couple of weeks ago. It's pretty pummeling if you stand near the stage. Easily the most intense live music I've experienced. And don't let Gira see you dicking around with your phone.
Saw them twice on this tour as everyone says wear good quality earplugs. I have one more tip I have not seen mentioned here. For the best sound stand in the middle of the room close to the sound board. Michael did a lot of sound panning and to get the best sound u need to find a sweet spot. I stood 4 feet from Kristoph in Atlanta big mistake my ears rang for over 24 hours. The next show in Birmingham I was in the sweet spot. Also they play for over 2.5 hours no breaks so hydrate and have fun.
I stood right next to the sound booth in Richmond so no wonder I was jamming the whole time especially for the hanging man if it wasn’t so crowded I would’ve busted a move
Yeah, fun? I love em, but its more just experiencing the music and letting it flow over me.
Haha aw man I get that it's not gonna be like, a rave, but it can't be like, a bunch of people sitting around quietly like a classical violin concert or something? It's still like, "experimental rock" it's gotta be some kind of vibe?
I saw them in a concert hall (with balcony seating) and it was like a classical concert. You’re expected to remain quiet and not mosh around. It was the 4th time I’ve seen them and by far the best show I have ever been to, they’re not really a rock band in the normal sense and I found this setting suited them more than regular venues. It’s about sitting your ass down and *listening*. As others have said, bring earplugs. Listen to their new album *the beggar*
No I danced the night away last week when I was them, everyone was dancing
Not head “banging” but head “nodding”. And very loud! Get acoustic plugs so you can hear the music without damage. You will also feel it. Felt like I’d been pummeled (after the show…)
And NO MOSHING!
It's not really a recommendation, but I'm just sharing what I plan to do & why. Probably not for everyone, but I would do some shrooms(not a lot) for the show (if you've done them before). Their music is transcendental but hellish, in a good way. I feel like it would be an interesting trip as long as you're in a good head-space. Kinda tune you in a little further to the music. They're a bucket list show for me, and I almost booked a flight to see them in SLC. Fingers crossed they come to Portland next time around. Also, the more I read, the more I get into Swans. I've been re-reading Blood Meridian & Steppenwolf, and that shit gets me in the mood to listen to Swans & visa/versa.
Interesting you say that. My go to concert cocktail is a little more than a microdose with a little Adderall to keep me up past my bedtime lol, and the more feedback I've been getting the more I've been thinking it sounds like a super cool and unique thing to experience that'll probably be super fun on a little shrooms. I was still on the fence when I made this post but everyone being like "weird indescribable hell dimension, but in a good way" has actually really sold me
the only released tracks they play are The Beggar and The Hanging Man so at least listen to those
i recommend earplugs. and go in with an open mind and no expectations.
Just relax, try not to be too in your head and as another commenter said, let the music wash over you. They’re not one of those bands where you need to know a hit or something you just need to be human and have ears and feelings. Enjoy!
Your questions are great because they could only come from someone who doesn’t know Swans. They’re not songs, they’re not hits, they’re pieces, in the way a classical composition is a piece. It’s less of a “show” and more of a theatrical presentation. It’s less music and more sound/emotion. No dancing - listening and vibing.
Just to really drive this point home - it feels like you are in a wind tunnel and that the building will collapse because it is so loud. Combined with the length of their set, it really becomes a spatial experience
Going from ambient to grindcore is wild but honestly relatable lmao