It's always interesting to see a band play new material when they have an unreleased record waiting in the wings, and especially when there has been a nearly four-year wait since their last one. Of Monsters and Men were in just such a situation on the Sasquatch stage.
The crowd had high expectations, largely based on the success of the 2011 record My Head is an Animal. The indie pop anthems and big hooks prevalent on their first release were largely missing from the band's show. Their new material seemed to downplay the fairytale pop sound in favour of a more melancholy, introspective vibe.
Lead singer/guitarist Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and co-singer/guitarist Ragnar "Raggi" Þórhallsson seemed nervous, almost shy on stage. This show comes at the end of a leg of their tour for Of Monsters and Men and it seemed like the band were ready for rest.
The show started with all new material and the band saved hits "Dirty Paws" and "Little Talks" for the climax, finishing with single "Crystals" from their forthcoming record Beneath the Skin.
Overall the feeling of the show was underwhelming, but recognizing that many fans were hearing these songs for the first time added an element of intrigue and appeal.
The crowd had high expectations, largely based on the success of the 2011 record My Head is an Animal. The indie pop anthems and big hooks prevalent on their first release were largely missing from the band's show. Their new material seemed to downplay the fairytale pop sound in favour of a more melancholy, introspective vibe.
Lead singer/guitarist Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and co-singer/guitarist Ragnar "Raggi" Þórhallsson seemed nervous, almost shy on stage. This show comes at the end of a leg of their tour for Of Monsters and Men and it seemed like the band were ready for rest.
The show started with all new material and the band saved hits "Dirty Paws" and "Little Talks" for the climax, finishing with single "Crystals" from their forthcoming record Beneath the Skin.
Overall the feeling of the show was underwhelming, but recognizing that many fans were hearing these songs for the first time added an element of intrigue and appeal.
