On March 11, 2024, Toyosu Pit in Tokyo witnessed a spellbinding performance by the iconic shoegaze band Slowdive. As fans filled the venue, anticipation hung thick in the air, leaving the audience eager for the band to take the stage.
Slowdive was formed in Reading, England in 1989. They broke up after the release of their third album Pygmalion in 1995 and reunited in 2014. With their latest studio album Everything Is Alive, released in 2023, they have been touring the world. Their sound is often described as shoegaze, dream pop, ambient, and so on.
Moving straight into “shanty” from their latest album Everything Is Alive, the audience was immediately drawn into the Slowdive’s fantastic world. The band, consisting of Neil Halstead, Rachel Goswell, Christian Savill, Nick Chaplin, and Simon Scott, exuded a sense of timelessness as they transported the audience to sonic realms of introspection and reverie. The stage was bathed in an ethereal glow, mirroring the hypnotic allure of Slowdive’s music.
The setlist was a carefully curated blend of old favorites and new gems, with standout performances of classics like “Catch the Breeze” and “Souvlaki Space Station” alongside newer tracks like “chain to a cloud” and “kisses.” Each song was imbued with a sense of tenderness, passion and intensity, as if the band were channeling their collective energy into every chord and lyric.
Neil Halstead’s velvety vocals intertwined seamlessly with Rachel Goswell’s ethereal harmonies, creating a lush sonic tapestry that enveloped the audience in a trance-like state. Christian Savill and Neil Halstead’s shimmering guitars washed over the crowd like gentle waves, while Simon Scott’s nuanced percussion provided the heartbeat of each song. Nick Chaplin’s bass work not only made a solid backbone for the music but also contributed to the overall dynamics and mood of the songs. In addition to that, his unique playing style, with the bass held low, was visually striking on stage.
Their performance was more than just a concert. It was the entire sensory experience. The mesmerizing lights, the pulsating rhythms, the fantastic visuals, the loud feedback – all came together to create a transcendent journey through sound and space. And as the final notes of Syd Barrett’s cover “Golden Hair” faded away, there was a collective sense of euphoria and gratitude in the air.
I was delighted to see many young fans attending and enjoying Slowdive’s show. Good music should be transmitted across generations. They will undoubtedly pass on this overwhelming experience to the next. We were extremely fortunate to be there. Thank you Slowdive, for a beautiful and unforgettable evening. Until we meet again.
Band:
Neil Halstead – Vocals, guitar, keyboards
Rachel Goswell – Vocals, guitar, keyboards, tambourine
Nick Chaplin – Bass
Christian Savill – Guitar
Simon Scott – Drums
Set list:
1. shanty
2. Star Roving
3. Catch the Breeze
4. skin in the game
5. Crazy for You
6. Souvlaki Space Station
7. Sleep (Eternal cover)
8. chained to a cloud
9. Slomo
10. kisses
11. Alison
12. When the Sun Hits
13. 40 Days
Encore:
14. Sugar for the Pill
15. Dagger
16. Golden Hair (Syd Barrett cover)
Follow Slowdive Online:
Aki is a published and award-winning concert photographer based in Tokyo, Japan. Her musical preferences are deeply rooted in the 70s. However, she also loves to see and capture new bands. You can find her work in magazines, newspapers, online and galleries.
