Venue: Zepp@BigBox, Singapore
Date: 9th February 2018
Promoter: Upsurge Productions
Review by: Maisha G.
Special Thanks: Mae, and the Upsurge Productions team
When someone asks me whether I love music, my reply would be “do I like breathing?” Sounds almost aloof but anyone who knows me well enough, would know that my life is synonymous to music and I would relate everything and anything to music, be it awkward pauses and strange daily life occurrences. There is a particular song that would always be stuck at the back of my head each time I think Murphy’s Law is materialising as everything snowballs from one calamity to the other, the song that I would start singing to myself would be the song titled “Anna Molly”. I’ve had that song stuck in my head since I was 16 and 12 years after, it is still very fresh.
I can’t say that I am a truly massive fan of the band but I have lived to see my two sisters going completely mental over the vocalist, none other than Brandon Boyd. He was one of the many artistes that managed to get girls swooning and he need not open his mouth for that. His appearance and demeanour have been the envy of many men out there who pledged to be half the cool man he is. Incubus, the band that strikes a chord for many alternative rock music fans, has got anthems as songs that will forever remain evergreen. Starting out in 1991, Incubus has since been the influence of many other bands of similar genre since they made a name for themselves. And I’ve been a true listener, can’t say much of a follower, of the band ever since I could understand what music was all about, all credits go to my two sisters who would glue themselves to the television and let out high pitch screeches as soon as “Drive” comes on MTV.
It has been three years since I caught them live and I had the opportunity to watch them twice. Once in Melbourne, and the other, in our humble sunny island. Both instances, I was pleasantly surprised and it felt like my very first time catching them for each of the shows that I went for. It was ages since I last saw them and if my memory served me well, it was between 2007 – 2009 when they were making a name for the album “Light Grenades” and “Anna Molly” was being played on almost every radio station imaginable and having MTV repeating the video at least twice a day.
The album titled ‘8’ was released about a year ago and I only managed to get into it late of last year and I quickly grew fond of the song “No Fun”. Granted, it was the first track of the album but the title sounded promising and it beckoned me to listen to the entire album. I can’t say I’m a fan of the album as a whole but I picked out some favourites of my own that I added into my playlist to listen to.
The crowd appeared to be filling up the venue, which looked almost akin to Max Pavillion. It was only my second time there since Sum 41 last August and it felt like I was at a different place altogether. The stage set up was different from the last and the space looked bigger than I remember it was. There was still a long snaking queue outside when I stepped outside for the loo. The crowd seemed promising and it was one of the shows where you unexpectedly bump into old friends that you haven’t seen for years. Despite the distance, I was looking forward to the night and what the band promises to bring on stage.
From where I was standing, I could see a wave of good old familiar faces clad in band merchandises of which the one with Rage Against The Machine particularly stood out for me. It was a crowd that felt that they knew what they were there for and what’s to be expected. It’s always a new feeling altogether when you set foot into a venue and it is refreshing every time.
The band graced the stage, just as I thought they’d be like cut outs from their band photos, Brandon Boyd along with his league of gentlemen; Mike, Jose, Chris, and Ben. They opened the night with “Love In A Time of Surveillance”, a track of their recently released album titled ‘8’ that got the band back on the map after their considerably long hiatus from producing new material. The crowd was just warming up as Brandon Boyd swayed around the stage, with screaming from all corners of the venue could be heard as he worked his charms. It was not really a crowd favourite but I believe we’re getting there as the night warms out to the familiar riffs as Mike strums his instrument of choice. The song “Warning” proved to be one of the audience’s favourites as you see the people turning heads and nodding in agreement as they jumped to the beat. On the other hand, “Monuments and Melodies” seemed to be the opening portal to the many fans they have gotten themselves over the years, as many would agree to it being one of the more anthemic sounding songs that were churned out from that album itself.
“Nimble Bastard” rang across the stage as Brandon showed off his quirky dance moves, the song was the closest reminder I have of early day Incubus with their album titled ‘S.C.I.E.N.C.E.’, granted it still felt evergreen with the new take to the song.
Chris teased the crowd with a familiar tune and it got me singing to the rhythm I know best and one of the reasons why I would watch Incubus over and over again, no matter how many times they’ll come and visit our humble shores. And my suspicions of the song was right all along when Ben strummed his bass guitar and Brandon sang the opening lines of the song. “Anna Molly” got the crowd hyped partially but it saddened me a little that people were taking out their phones to record the song instead of enjoying the performance. I was expecting more, and was expecting it to be like the last time they were here but it felt all too different; nonetheless, I sang my heart out and let my hair down.
“Megalomaniac” featured some trippy visuals that accompanied the performance and I was just grabbing anyone that I know close to me, singing out loud, but one thing that caught me off guard was when they performed “Wish You Were Here”. The song transitioned into a recognizable melody and I was raising my eyebrows when Brandon belted out the note as Jose took a notch down on the drums. They amalgamated Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” at the second half of their same song title and I remembered saying “this is just pure genius” when I thought the band couldn’t get any better in putting their fans on the edge, in a good way.
Screams heard asking Brandon to take his shirt off were very rampant that night as he adhered to the crowd by unbuttoning his shirt bit by bit. It was during “Pantomime” when Brandon slings a guitar across his shoulder as it pressed on his, what I believe, to be very sweaty body was the highlight of the night for me. His long tresses were as perfect as the hair advertisements. Only then I realised why my sisters were crazy over this guy. It was not just how he looked as a person but the persona that he carries and how he exudes it through his music made him unlike the rest.
It wouldn’t be a completely fulfilling Incubus show without “Pardon Me” and of course, “Drive” where you found every single person singing each word. My other favourite, “Nice To Know You” got me screaming at the top of my lungs. It was an amazing night and topped off with “No Fun” as the crowd sang along in unison and I recalled Brandon’s hilarious on stage banter when he said “socks are lingerie for your feet” when he told Mike to take off an article of clothing off, and Mike decided to take off his shoes.
When we thought we were surprised enough, “Talk Shows on Mute” was performed together with INXS’ version of “Need You Tonight” and we were blown away yet again with the stunts the band was pulling at every corner. And it did not stop there; we were greeted with late Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy” as the band did a rendition of the song accompanied by the purple light that filled the venue. It was mind blowing, and they did justice to the song. It was heartfelt and pure.
That night got me thinking about a lot of things, mostly about appreciation for music and letting it surround you. Incubus has taught me that music is omniscient, that no matter where you are or where you come from, music will be the dictation of your life journey and what you make out of it; how you choose for it to be of importance to you, is all on you. Thank you Upsurge Productions for the amazing night, and here’s to looking forward to many more shows in the near future.