I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: June 7, 2023] Temples

I saw Temples about a year and a half ago and the show was terrific.  The songs sounded like the albums without sounding exactly like the albums.  They were fun and funny and, without doing anything fancy, put on a heck of a show (probably because their songs are so good).

I wasn’t sure if I was going to go to this show because a literal cloud of smoke had fallen over the entire area.  Wildfires in Canada had sent plumes of really dangerous smoke over the entire Northeastern U.S.  Air quality was so bad that we were wearing masks again.  I wasn’t sure if it was safe to go out in it.  Technically it wasn’t, but it was okay with a mask.  I drove to Philly with my windows closed and a mask on the whole way.  It was weird to take the mask off inside, but I did because the place had a filtration system in place.

I hadn’t listened to the new record a much as I should have, but I do like the overall feel of the album.  So, having new songs sprinkled throughout the set was a nice way to get to really enjoy them.

Lead singer/guitarist James Bagshaw is a great presence up there under his curly hair.  His voice sounded great and it was cool watching him play the catchy riffs that the band has created.  He messed up the opening of one song and chastised himself.  But other than that his playing was spot on.

I really enjoyed their previous album Hot Motion a lot and would have loved to hear more songs from it.  But I understand you have a new album to promote.  Honestly they could have played for thirty more minutes and maybe played all of their songs that I like. But I have no complaints about the setlist.

Because “Certainty” from Volcano sounded amazing.  And Holy Horses from Hot Motion is one of my favorite songs of theirs.

I was more or less in front of keyboardist/guitarist Adam Thomas Smith (who has gotten a very short haircut since last time).  He had a lot to do playing occasional riffs and solos and keeping the keys going at  the same time.

I couldn’t really see bassist Tom Warmsley very well.  This happened last time as well.  But his bass lines are essential to the overall sound.  He also sang occasional backing vocals and one lead.

They didn’t play any “new” old songs compared to the previous show.  And that’s fine.  Because every old song that they played was a good one.  They played four songs from their debut–which has a very different sound to their newer records, but which sound great live.

I had said this last time and it was true again.  It seemed like Bagshaw wanted to come down to the audience, but he always had to get back to the microphone to keep singing.  On a few occasions he walked right up to the edge of the stage (which is, admittedly about two feet from his microphone) and played or sang.  The one time, (because there is no gate or barrier) his guitar was right in the face of the woman in front of me.

They ended the set with three new songs.  Two from Exotico and the non-album cut (but which is super catchy) “Paraphernalia.”

I really enjoyed watching drummer Rens Ottink.  he was new to the band on the last tour, but he seems to be a permanent member now.  He plays complex patterns and has an interesting style–almost like he’s too big for the kit.  I also loved his shirt, which was kind of a see through pattern on a white, light , blouse-like material.  Incidentally, the whol band looked pretty sharp with very nice shoes and fancy pants.  It was a nice step up from jeans, without being costumey.

After the encore break, they came back and played a ripping “Mesmerize.”  I had forgotten from last time that this was a special song–last time it was the only encore song.  Last time I said

The band left for an encore break and came back with the fantastic “Mesmerize” yet one more song with a super catchy chorus and a fantastic main guitar riff.  The song turned into a lengthy jam that was really fun.  Bagshaw was all over the place with his soloing.  The whole band seemed to enjoy stretching out and jamming a bit.

And it was true this time.  There was a lot of smiling as the band could let loose from their normally rigid songs.

They ended the night with “Shelter Song,” their first hit.  It sounded just as good as last time–with excellent backing vocals and that super catchy riff.

It was a really great show.  After being unsure if I wanted to go and being in a bit of a funk at the state of the world, their set completely lifted my spirits.  When I went to the merch table, the whole band came over and were gracious and friendly, signing merch and taking pictures.  I talked to them a bit and tld them how the show really made my day.  And they signed my poster for me.

§ Sun Structures (2014)
∇ Volcano (2017)
™ Hot Motion (2019)
Paraphernalia single (2020)
€ Exotico (2022)