Preoccupations: Show Review

Punk and rock shows have always had plenty of energy as raw force permeates from every member of the audience. Usually, these shows are poorly lit and the music supplies the only source of stimulation. Preoccupations ditched that practice in favor of a show that could’ve been watched without audio. 

Out of all the smaller venues in Los Angeles, The Roxy stands above the rest, putting on shows that feel low-fi without sacrificing production. Without fail, the shows are cinematic and moving with great lighting fixtures and very solid audio. Preoccupations did not disappoint in any department. 

Playing a mix of tracks from their last two albums, the show flowed seamlessly, opening with Anxiety and building from there. At times the musicians would break down into no lyrics, just noise. The lighting of the venue left a shadow on Matthew Flegel’s face that gave him a demonic countenance matching the darker emotions of the music. Throughout the show, strobes and beams of light invaded the audience in syncopation with powerful drums and guitar riffs. 

Preoccupations have put their demons behind them while maintaining the intensity and fire that made them so popular in the first place. Their show felt like a group of young musicians playing erratic, aggressive music without sacrificing the order of their show. It was solid, very solid.

RAMIRO MOSQUERA, CO-MUSIC DIRECTOR
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