Bauhaus @ Wiltern LG, Los Angeles
As if a special treat for us LA fans, the Bauhaus's reunion tour played at Wiltern over this Halloween weekend. Let's just say, they were jaw-droppingly astonishing and it was one of the best concerts I've ever been to in my life.
When I heard of the news of Bauhaus reunion tour, an enthusiasm rekindled inside me with intensity. I swear NO WAY I'll ever miss it this time (I was out of country at the 1999 Gotham tour T_T). Bauhaus helped shaping the early foundation of my youth ^^;;;. Two important aspects of my life: music preference and aesthetics, were more or less rooted from them. Bauhaus will always have a special place in my heart. I couldn't believe I can finally see them!
First of all, there was no crappy opening band! *THANK YOU*
Second, we stood at the front row (right behind the barricade pit), clear close-up view...*_*
The crowd was quite mixed, majority 20s-30s crowd, though there're quite a few balding aging older fans and many neo-goth Hot Topic highschoolers. One thing that united them: all dressed in black. My bright red top was quite the red spot! :D Though I spotted quite a lot of baby pink/blue clothes hipsters. So many goth girls have jet black hair in bangs and thick black frame glasses (not enough varieties). Some people were just trying too hard by dressing in their elaborate horror-themed halloween costumes. Those dressed up people sure matched the Wiltern theater, the place was fogged and decorated with halloween decorations. ^^;;
When the band appeared on stage with the deep, sinister guitar intro of Burning from the Inside, it sets off the epic atmosphere of the entire show. My 'aging shock' worries since Gang of Four show was not needed, because the Bauhaus guys SOUNDED and LOOKED almost like their prime, truly amazing! They were all very fit and stylish. Well maybe Peter Murphy (v) was a bit balding behind and his silver blonde hair looked like grey hair ^^;;, but my god his Bowiesque golden voice sounded so great in live. The tall, burly and stylish Daniel Ash (g) was the most appealing on stage, I've always been a big fan of his guitar, so simple yet so versatile and alive, they were a raging life on its own that parallel with Peter's voice. He did all the experimental sound with various instruments (ex: saxphone during In Fear of Fear). Bauhaus has the coolest bassline (Kick in the Eye, In Fear of Fear, She's in Parties!!!) , and the frigid, silent presence of David J. (b) completely contrast with his sharp kinetic riffs. Kevin (d) delivered heavy storming, heart-thumping rhythms. They just have this awesome majestic presence (despite the silly lyrics, which is the more amazing part ^^;;).
Despite being labeled Gothic, the 20 songs set list demonstrate how wide ranged their music explored during their short-lived band history. As you can see the list below, it's almost the same as 1999's Gotham's list. I'm glad they didn't pick much quiet, ethereal songs (though I'd love to hear All We Ever Wanted Was Everything). Even though there are no new materials, I'm very satisfied. The atmosphere and lighting was grandly designed specially for each song.
The pre-encore highlights for me was definitely Swing The Heartache, its overwhelming heavy heart pounding force was meant to be experienced in live. In the Flat Field, In Fear of Fear, Stigmata Martyr and Rosegarden Funeral Of Sores. The fans were most thrilled during their most catchy and romantic She's in Parties and Passion of Lovers.
There were 3 encores. 1st comes Double Dare, astonishingly explosive and dramatic. During 2nd encores, they performed two of their glam rock covers Telegram Sam (T.Rex) and Ziggy Stardust (Bowie) that became their anthem, the audience was driven wild and everyone sang along. Telegram Sam was a bit slow. The 3rd encore was a bit tricky, they turn on the light so many people thought the show has ended. But a Bauhaus concert wouldn't be completed without their minimal epic Bela Lugosi's Dead right? Peter Murphy did not descend upside down as he did in Coachella but the atmospheric lighting was simply divine. The creaking guitar, the ghostly bassline...it was gothic at its finest. Though the loony girl next to me was so in trance and doing the snake-dancing all thru the song (killing the mood =,=).
Set List (order not 100% accurate):
Burning from the Inside
In The Flat Field
Terror Couple Kill Colonel
Swing The Heartache
Silent Hedges
In Fear Of Fear
God In An Alcove
Rosegarden Funeral Of Sores
Hollow Hills
She's In Parties
Passion Of Lovers
Kick In The Eye
Stigmata Martyr
Hair Of The Dog
Dark Entries
==ENCORE 1==
Double Dare
==ENCORE 2==
Slice Of Life
Telegram Sam
Ziggy Stardust
==ENCORE 3==
Bela Lugosi's Dead