Lightning Bolt played 1896 Studios

Lightning Bolt, the monumental noise band from Providence, Rhode Island were an unstoppable force at Brooklyn's 1896 Studios.

Seeing a band in their element is always ideal, but not often easy. Some bands just aren't met to play "real" venues on a stage. Lightning Bolt are one of those bands and while seeing them in a place like (le) Poisson Rouge is cool, it's always a better time seeing them in a space that meets their physical demand. 1896 Studios is one of those places. The large, cavernous industrial warehouse located in Bushwick served as the perfect spot to see these lords of noise and moments after Deli Girls wrapped up their set under a scaffold of lights in the center of the room, Brian Gibson and Brian Chippendale took to the back corner and in front of a stack of amps, unleashed an audio assault of adrenaline-fueled chaos that leveled their surroundings. With nothing between them and their fans, the band played on the floor and I was pressed against the drum kit for their entire set. As I dodged Chippendale's flailing arms while he bashed away at his kit, the intensity of the night raged on and on, never once letting up and increasing with each impending tune. As Gibson stood on, his emotionless face a total contrast to the unrelenting walls of sound that were capturing the room, he was the complete opposite of Chippendale's pure insanity. As his arms acted like a jackhammer, he demolished his kit with pure fury. In near darkness, the band's colossal sound was monstrous as it took over the entire room with flashing red lights as the only illuminating aspect that attempted to bring some kind of order to the otherwise entirely chaotic setting. Occasionally stopping between songs to stretch out his extremities, Chippendale's usual friendly demeanor was apparent as he checked-in on those around him to make sure everyone was having a good time and OK before he resumed his position and continued to attack his drums. As the night wore on, the madness never let up and at times it felt like the crowd was going to swallow the band as the rush towards the sound picked up. I can't imagine how anyone in the back was able to see the show, but a lot of the Lightning Bolt experience is truly feeling the music and seeing them isn't so much of the point. However, if you can get up close and personal, there really isn't anything else like it. The band calmly stated that they were finished after what felt like a gauntlet run of a set and as I screamed for them to play "13 Monsters" and others cheered along, the duo had a quick conversation behind their speakers and returned to their spots in the middle of the crowd before Chippendale remarked "ok we're gonna play an old song that we don't really remember." As he started the fill to "13 Monsters" I thought I was going to lose my mind, a song that has meant so much to me and has evaded their live sets each time I've seen them finally got its due and I was holding up the drums as it happened. There are times when a certain song can feel overwhelming and truly sublime when you experience it live and there's no question that witnessing this was one of those moments. A nuclear blast of noise turned into a life-affirming moment that made for one of the all-time greatest live music experiences I've had not just this year, but perhaps ever. To get to see them in such a setting was an absolute dream and to end it on such a high note felt like a miracle and something I'll never forget.