The Messthetics at The Great Hall - Concert Photos

The Messthetics are Brendan Canty on drums, Joe Lally on bass, and Anthony Pirog on the guitar. Canty and Lally were the rhythm section from legendary Washington post-hardcore band Fugazi. Together, The Messthetics are a gripping, engrossing, incredible instrumental post-punk band. They blew my mind with their set at Hillside 2018 and so when I saw the announcement of their show at The Great Hall, I knew I wanted to be there.

They did not disappoint with this set. The way the three of them fit together and dynamically shift as one glowing entity is incredible to behold. I love the aural ride that their music takes me on and I am humbled by the musicianship. I think the key here is the incredibly solid rhythm section that hold everything together as the guitar ebbs and flows through verse and chorus over top.

The Messthetics’ next release is called Anthropocosmic Nest and it comes out September 6.

The Messtehtics were joined by local bands Retired and Lozenge on this night. Click through those links to check out my coverage of their sets.

And finally, check out some of The Messthetics music from the setlist from this show.

"Mythomania"

"Quantum Path"

"Better Wings"

Hillside 2018: A compendium of posts - Concert Photos

Hillside has been around for thirty-five years. Unfortunately for me, this was only my second visit to the festival and my first full weekend. My Hillside 2016 coverage can be found right here if you want to take a peek. For 2018, I saw forty-two acts over the three days of the festival, and that wasn't everyone who performed.

The way I roll with this site, that has meant 42 individual posts on the 42 acts, each with photos, music and thoughts on the performance. Apologies since some of those are "capsule reviews" or even more brief, while some are more in-depth. However, I hope this coverage gives a flavour of what Hillside is, that it turns you on to some great artists, and that you'll join me at what is now a must-attend summer festival for me.

I also have to call out that 35 years is quite a milestone that should be recognized for the great achievement that it is. The music industry, and specifically the music festival industry, is a difficult one, where so many festivals can’t seem to make it work. Cheers to a wonderful festival, with an unbeatable chill and welcoming community vibe, and cheers to the next 35 years! Happy Hillside!

Please click through to the coverage of each artist that I was lucky enough to experience:

Day 1

Tim Baker

Hollerado

Busty and The Bass

Cadence Weapon

Iskwé

Adrian Underhill

Little Junior

The Slocan Ramblers

Daniel Champagne

Hyness
Doris Folkens

Day 2

Rhye
San Fermin
faUSt
Five Alarm Funk
U.S. Girls
Partner
Reverend Sekou and Dimpker Brothers
Megative
The Messthetics
Ladama
Anemone
Jeremy Fisher
The Huntress and Holder of Hands
Destroyer

Day 3
A Tribe Called Red
Birds of Bellwoods
Plants and Animals
Crown Lands
Narcy
Lido Pimienta
Cécile Doo-Kingué
Chad VanGaalen
Helena Deland
Haley Heynderickx
Jessicka
Lilly Hiatt
The Lil Smokies
Fortunate Ones
Nick Zubeck
The Kents
Annie Sumi

Hillside 2018: Day 2: The Messthetics - Concert Photos

The Messthetics pretty much blew my mind at Hillside 2018. The trio perform hugely engrossing for instrumental music, which is high praise coming from me. I usually need a strong vocal personality to draw me in and instrumental music usually doesn't do the trick for me. With The Messthetics, the wall of sound, melodic journey, dynamic shifts and locked-in rhythm are more than enough.

The band consists of Brendan Canty on drums, Joe Lally on bass, and Anthony Pirog on the guitar. Canty and Lally were the rhythm section from legendary Washington post-hardcore band Fugazi. If I recall correctly, I previously saw Canty on drums with Bob Mould more than a decade ago.

In my notes, I described the music as psychedelic post-punk jazz. I loved Pirog's amazing guitar playing. and effects and loop manipulation. You'll also never see a more intense rhythm section than Canty and Lally.

The Messthetics were amazing. Give this band a listen and if you get the chance, take in their live show. It's was a highlight of Hillside 2018, without a doubt. Just incredible.

"Serpent Tongue"

"Radiation Fog/Crowds and Power", "The Inner Ocean", and "The Weaver"