Of Monsters and Men @ Huxleys Neue Welt in Berlin
It has taken four long years for Of Monsters and Men to release “Fever Dream”, their third and expected new album. Nowadays immersed in a tour that is taking them around the world, they also stopped in Berlin where they started their show at a crowded Huxleys Neue Welt precisely with “Alligator”, the first single from the newly released record. Just by listening to the first bars we realize that we are in front of a powerful anthem that they define as “brainchild of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs fronting Arcade Fire, all thumping drums, brimming guitars and a call-to-arms chorus about taking control”. And they are very right, I certainly love it!
Right after winning a battle of the bands contest back in 2010, a radio station in Philadelphia (Radio 104.5) began playing a demo of the song “Little Talks”. Up until now it's been crazy years (cameo appearance on Game of Thrones included) for these five Icelanders. They soon signed with Republic, went to SXSW, released a first album (which by everyone's admission was essentially scrappily made in one weekend) that went multi-platinum. They also toured the world developing a live reputation all over in huge venues and at massive festivals like Coachella.
Of Monsters and Men is a great band, they are in my opinion one of the hottest bands on the planet (and they always produce great music videos too). The voices of guitarists and vocalists Nanna Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar Þórhallsson complement each other perfectly, taking turns in some sort of vocal balance that works like a charm. Voices always framed by the accurate drum beats by Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson and the intelligent bass lines by Kristján Páll Kristjánsson, always well accompanied by guitarist Brynjar Leifsson.
Everyone paddles in this band that performs on this tour more energetic and self-confident than ever. With a setlist full of songs from their latest album (“Alligator”, “Ahay”, “Wild Roses”, “Stuck in Gravity”, “Sleepwalker” and “Wards”) the band knows very well how to control the tempo, energizing the audience with anthems like "Lakehouse" and making sure of maintaining the energy with songs like "Little Talks" and "Six Weeks", and some bises that include "Waiting for the Snow" (also from the new album), "Dirty Paws" and "Yellow Light". A great concert!
Don't miss the chance to see them if they stop at your city! Find more information and all the tour dates here.
Setlist Of Monsters and Men at Huxleys Neue Welt in Berlin on November 13th, 2019:
Alligator
Empire
Ahay
King and Lionheart
Mountain Sound
Sleepwalker
Human
Wild Roses
Stuck in Gravity
I of the Storm
Wars
Crystals
Lakehouse
Little Talks
Six Weeks
Waiting for the Snow (encore)
Dirty Paws (encore)
Yellow Light (encore)
Cover photograph by Meredith Truax
