Live Music: Sleigh Bells
Paradise Rock Club in Boston, MA
Photos & Review of Sam Schraub
I honestly didn’t know much about Sleigh Bells before seeing them perform this past week at Paradise Rock Club in Boston. I had heard their hit “Crown on the Ground” - a pulpy garage rock single that screams to be the background soundtrack to an angsty montage in a teen movie - but that was the extent of my knowledge. It only took the opening song “Blue Trash” for Sleigh Bells to blow me away with their raw talent and unrestrained performance. Sleigh Bells consists of vocalist Alexis Krauss and guitarist Derek Edward Miller (although it should be noted that a second guitarist did join the duo on stage). Together the two put on an unexpectedly riveting set, full of so much powerful energy that you can feel the crowd nearly pulsing with excitement. Krauss made sure everyone in the audience felt involved in her performance, jumping off the stage a number of times to sing to fans, hold hands, crowdsurf, and just jump around. Her steady vocals were impressive considering the vivacity at which she danced - almost violently jumping and bending to create a cohesive piece of performance art to compliment each song. Their specific brand of rock partnered with a blinding light show and ultimately spectacular performance made me understand why the fan in front of me was crying with ecstatic- why Sleigh Bells are such a standout band. If you have the chance to catch Sleigh Bells on their tour don’t hesitate to buy tickets. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the band, you’re sure to have a different opinion by the end of the night.
