“I loathe to see live shows where you merely hear the exact songs from the album louder with a bunch of people around you” — Jason Pierce of Spiritualized
If you consider music to be your religion and live venues your church, fold your hands around your favorite chemical communion and approach the alter for a dose of Spiritualized and let them transform you for an evening. Spiritualized began their 2012 North American tour May 2 performing songs from the newly released “Sweet Heart Sweet Light”. Of the 8 live performances I’ve witnessed, all have entranced and transcended the audience into a different space if only momentarily.
Spiritualized front-man Jason Pierce (a.k.a. Jason Spaceman) first played in the band Spacemen 3 in Rugby, England with Pete Kember (a.k.a. Sonic Boom) whose live performances filled spaces with droning electric fury that tilted on chaotic exploration. J.Spaceman parted ways Sonic Boom and formed what is now Spiritualized.
Spiritualized usually shoots a few Spaceman 3 songs into the set and are known for ‘recreating’ each song live and ‘find their way through each piece’ to a new end. Pierce was once quoted as saying “I loathe to see live shows where you merely hear the exact songs from the album louder with a bunch of people around you” and “I often chase symphonies in my head”. Expect Spiritualized to explore new ways to find that space that changes you while reaching for higher ground.
No rumors have been passed along regarding the bands stage line-up which in the past has included full-on brass sections, additional strings, and gospel singers. You can count on electric guitars, distortion pedals, and keys that will flood your local ‘church’ with beautifully distorted hymns drenched in electric rain that just may wash away your sins-if only for a second.
Spiritualized 2012 Tour Dates:
03/16 – Nottingham, UK @ Rescue Rooms
03/17 – Portsmouth, UK @ Wedgewood Rooms
03/19 – London, UK @ Hackney Empire
03/20 – Oxford, UK @ Academy
03/21 – Bristol, UK @ Academy
03/22 – Glasgow, UK @ ABC
03/23 – Belfase, IE @ Mandela Hall
03/24 – Dublin, IE @ Vicar Street
03/25 – Manchester, UK @ Academy
05/02 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
05/03 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
05/04 – Detroit, MI @ The Majestic Theatre
05/05 – Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix
05/07 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5
05/09 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
05/10 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
05/11 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
05/12 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
05/13 - Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
05/15 – Dallas, TX @ Granda Theatre
05/16 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s East
05/18 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
05/19 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
05/20 – San Diego, CA @ Belly Up Tavern
05/22 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
05/23 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
05/25 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
05/26 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre
05/30-06/03 – Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound
06/07-10 – Porto, PT @ Optimus Primavera Sound