REVIEW: Metric w/Half Moon Run At The State Theatre 9/11

Photo credit: Brantley Gutierrez

First things first: Emily Haines is still a mega-babe rockstar. That will never go away. Second, well over a decade after the inception of the band, Metric has established a solid combination of gorgeous production quality, band synergy, and fan appreciation in their live show. Whew.

Before Metric took the stage at the State Theatre newcomers Half Moon Run had their turn to wow the variety of fans present. Unfortunately, there were many empty seats at that point, but those that showed early made up for it with an enthusiastic response to the set (the guy behind me was totally freaking out). The tune “Call Me In The Afternoon” from the debut album Dark Eyes is so freakin’ good; three part harmonies and big percussion. Think Mumford & Sons infused with Muse (circa Origin Of Symmetry) on Ambien; totally awesome, right? HMR is set to return to Minneapolis in December supporting Patrick Watson. I look forward to seeing them again— this band has a lot of potential.

Then there was Metric. Wonderful, all-consuming, auralgasmic Metric. Jumping right in with “Artificial Nocturne” from the latest album, Synthetica, Haines burst out lyrically with “I’m just as fucked up as they say” and knocked the bejeebies out of every breathing thing in that room. It was Magical. All I could think was “Shit, this band knows. They are seasoned professionals. They totally know.”

The light show was tasteful and badass, setting a magnificent atmosphere for the evening. The crowd was head over heels and completely captivated by any movement or sound protruding from the stage. Haines frequently put on crowd-pleasing frontline dance moves that did not slow down during her time spent on synth. The rest of the band was extremely on point musically; guitarist James Show absolutely brings it with the high energy riffs and bassist Joshua Winstead is a magnetic performer.

Haines never ceased command of the room. “Dreams So Real” was like a well-rehearsed music video and “Lost Kitten” oozed with attitude— uber fun attitude. Metric had so much fun on stage it was impossible not to emulate their enthusiasm. From the song “Synthetica” Haines sang, “I’ll keep the life that I’ve got” and “won’t ever let them make a loser of my soul,” creating a genuine emotional connection with the audience. Every one in the room was feeling the same swell and probably could not quite put a label on it. Contenment? Happiness?

I had two favorite parts of the roughly 90-minute set. First, during “Breathing Underwater,” where Haines’ chilling vocals resonated over the pulsating guitar rhythm and bangin’ percussion. The second happened right at the end of the encore when Shaw hopped on the acoustic guitar and Haines led the audience in a sing-a-long lullaby of “Gimme Sympathy.” What could have been a stereotypical way to end a show turned into an intimate band-orchestrated moment. Winstead and drummer Joules Scott-Key returned from a brief moment off stage and every person in the room united over the lyrics “Come on baby, play me somethin’ like ‘Here Comes The Sun’.”

Okay, I’m gushing. Can you tell I enjoyed it? Go see Metric live; it is incredible. And keep on the look out for Half Moon Run, something cool is happening there.

By Laura Yurich
Metric w/Half Moon Run
Tuesday, September 11 2012
State Theatre - Minneapolis, MN

Posted 8 months ago