Animal Collective @ Pitchfork 7.15.11
July 20th, 2011 by Matt
My favorite part of Animal Collective’s set was also what I felt needed the most editing. On this tour, Animal Collective have begun linking their songs together more than they already did. Songs bleed into one another through jams, percussion or even the DJ-like use of samples and riffs. At some moments it was incredible — the length build up to “Brothersport” — and at others it was tiring. That said, I still think it’s the best change to their live show since they got a light show.
The only other thing that must be said is that I was able to hear one of my all time favorite Animal Collective songs: “Did You See the Words.” I haven’t heard it live since 2005 and figured I never would again. It was an incredible addition and a nice gesture from a band that’s known for rarely diving further back in their catalogue than a year and a half.
asasdaf // Jul 21, 2011 at 8:05 am
I SAW ANIMAL COLLECTIVE LIKE 2 WEEKS AGO. that was whack man. i guess it’s my own fault. i boned the fuck up on animal collective the weeks leading up to the concert. but they played all this other shit i never heard before. they played like 2 songs off merriweather but i hadn’t realized what the songs were till they were basically over (like you said, they bled the tracks together in some way). their stuff REALLY REALLY isn’t the type of stuff to hear LIVE for the FIRST TIME, you know? play the hits live, wait for people to know what it is. hearing new songs live has never ever ever ervervevrverv worked for me and i do not know how people dig it. i felt especially disconnected and lost at this concert. all my complaints seem to be particular to me, though. so what EVER
Matt // Jul 21, 2011 at 10:00 am
Yeah, that’s a pretty popular complaint. They seem to do whatever they want when they play live. I think they’re better about including older material in festival settings like Pitchfork, though.
sariot // Jul 22, 2011 at 11:04 am
…I thought this show was amazing, my highlight of the weekend for sure!! tooootal dance party.