[ATTENDED: June 1, 2018] Mastodon
I saw Mastodon two years ago. The band was great, but I left the show somewhat unsatisfied. Was it the venue (Electric Factory, I think so); was it the crowd (a large and unceasing mosh pit, I think so).
I felt like I wanted to see them again. But when they came back around a year later, I decided against it. In part because it was the same venue and in part because it was an all day event with four bands (most of whom I liked, but that’s practically a festival). A note on the setlist says that Brent Hinds was visibly upset with technical problems the whole show, so I’m glad I didn’t go. Especially since this show’s setlist was very similar.
When this tour was announced co-headliners Primus and Mastodon, it seemed pretty ideal. I have been wanting to see Primus and here was redemption for Mastodon–I’ve been pretty happy with the shows I’ve seen at Summer Stage.
Well, a thunderstorm was forecast for the entire day in Asbury Park, so they moved the show inside. It wound up not raining at all, but you have to make a decision early when you have so much gear and they made the right choice–even if it may not have sounded as good.
I arrived late and missed the opening band All Them Witches entirely.
But Mastodon sounded great. The crowd wasn’t that large for them, I was surprised to see. A largish pit started in the middle but it never really took off that much. It was nicely contained and I was on the edge of it, where I like to be.
I like nearly everything Mastodon has released, although I don;t really know which album the songs come from. So I didn’t even realize that so many songs came from their newest album Emperor of Sand (7 of 17).
The one good thing about it being inside is that it was still light out when they went on, but it was dark inside, which meant that their backgrounds and visuals worked well. (more…)
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