festnoise | Music & Festivals

Oct 28

Oct 28 Metronomy @ Columbiahalle in Berlin

I like Metronomy. I like the whole thing around this particular band. And surely I like them more after this concert at Columbiahalle in Berlin. It wasn't probably any better or worse than any other concert of this tour but it was the first time I saw Metronomy outside a music festival. And in my opinion you get the best out of them in smaller enclosures.

I also like Columbiahalle. With a capacity of 3.500 spectators (and located in front of the impressive Tempelhof airport, the monumental piece of history and today´s lung of Berlin), Columbiahalle was the perfect venue to see a band like Metronomy. Large enough to locate an audience of thousands but small enough to maintain an intimate environment.

Following up 2016’s ‘Summer 08’ album, Metronomy released last September ‘Metronomy Forever’. And they started their Berlin show precisely with Lately, one of its singles. But that would be after Georgia´s show, who had been announced as the support act. And what a great surprise she was! Totally recommended to follow closely this powerful British electronic music producer, drummer and singer.

Out of the 20 songs they would play at Columbiahalle, 8 were from their last album (Lately, Insecurity, Salted Caramel Ice Cream, Lying Low, Walking in the Dark, Wedding Bells, Sex Emoji and Upset My Girlfriend). An album for which band´s leader Joseph Mount called upon a variety of inspirations. Most notably, he wanted to replicate the feeling of listening to the radio, with an infinite quality, sumptuous songs of different styles, ever rolling, helping to lighten your mood. Moving away from the bustle of his former Parisian home to take up residence atop a hill in the garden of England had an impact, infusing the album with a sense of tranquillity and a calm joy that reflects the relative happiness of his existence.

‘Metronomy Forever’ in name represents something looking backwards and forwards simultaneously, like Janus, something fated and eternal. You were made from dust and to dust you will return, that sort of thing.

Joseph Mount: “What happens is when you’re making music and you enter a world where you have achieved some sort of celebrity no matter how large or small you start to think about yourself in terms of legacy and what you’re going to leave behind. And then you realize that’s limited to the interest people have in you. In the end I feel completely comfortable with it. The less importance you place in any art the more interesting it can become in a way… I’m making music, I’m going to do some concerts, I need to feed my children.”

It amazes me how big as band Metronomy is, but it amazes me even more how band members have managed to still be kind of unknown themselves. They are far from being super stars although they could be. And I'm pretty sure this is part of their plan. With no famous names, or published scandalous, simply any of them could be our neighbor without us noticing. I like that too.

With reminiscences of the eighties, Metronomy sounds totally contemporary. Nostalgic Synth-pop, sometimes kinda pinky bubble gum, perhaps sounding easy and casual but in reality containing very elaborate compositions and melodies. To think that Metronomy's music is easy, simple or soft would be a mistake. In their songs we find pain and disappointment. They make us look at the past, receiving a bunch of memories and emotions. What sets Metronomy apart is that they somehow offer a cheerful and positive look at this past.

But most likely the discretion of this English band formed long ago in Devon (UK), is inversely proportional to the talent they have. Metronomy, without us noticing, has already released 6 albums and after almost 20 years of career they are one of the most consolidated and respected bands of the moment.

Maybe there lies the power of Metronomy. A subtle and discreet group, that by means of friendly melodies catches you without you noticing. What a merit - even more in the current times - it has, being a superstar and doesn't seem so!

Visit Metronomy´s website and find all the tour dates.

Setlist of Metronomy at Columbiahalle in Berlin on October 24th, 2019: