Concert Review: Bell X1 at Highline Ballroom 03/14/09
Last night I went to see Bell X1 at the Highline Ballroom with Greg. I first learned about Bell X1 a few weeks ago and have been listening to their new album (Blue Lights on the Runway) ever since. I found out about the show yesterday so there wasn’t too much anticipation leading up to it.
Overall, the show was very good. They are known to put on a great live show and they didn’t disappoint. The venue was kind of weird. Very good sound. Very good air conditioning. But very shitty crowd and beers were $7. Highline Ballroom is located in the Meat Packing district. I wouldn’t have expected a ‘Meat Packing Crowd’ but that’s what we got. Pretty people dressed in heels. Talking the entire time. It was very unexpected. Why would these people choose to go to see this concert?
After I bought the tickets, I started reading up on Bell X1. I had no idea that Damien Rice was a part of the group at one point. I love Damien Rice. I have seen him live twice and both shows were amazing. Apparently, Damien and Bell X1 were a group called Juniper for many years. Prior to releasing their first album, Damien quit the band and went to Tuscany to herd sheep and find himself. The rest of the band changed their name to Bell X1. Their first album even has ‘Volcano’ with Damien singing the vocals. Anyway, I couldn’t help but think last night ‘What if Damien Rice was still in this band’? I can’t even imagine how could they would be.
