It didn’t take long for the Metro to be packed to capacity for last night’s show. Folks got there early to take in the Grizzly Bear set and squeezed up close for a spot for the TV On The Radio. I’ve always enjoyed my trips south to the Metro, which is quickly approaching it’s 25th year in operation. The feeling in the balcony provides a great view and a vantage that makes you feel right on top of the band. It’s this type of intimacy, a living room type atmosphere that affords most bands some comfort in playing a packed house that still feels warm and inclusive.

Grizzly Bear played a short and sweet opening spot that drew from their latest album, Yellow House, but seemed to be over before it got started. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to see this band on its own tour so they can really get into their sound and provide me with a little more exposure. The sound was absolutely perfect for their set and there were definitely people in the crowd just to hear this band.

TV On The Radio had blown me away while I was at Austin City Limits. It had been the set I was most looking forward to that weekend. As much as I that set in the Texas sun, I found their sound an overall performance in a club scene was far superior and much more enjoyable. About three songs into their set a smoke machine let out a huge amount of smoke (see above) which completely engulfed guitarist, Kyp Malone prompting him to politely request that the machine be shut off for the remainder of the show at the songs conclusion. Tearing through a good number of tunes off their latest, Return To Cookie Mountain my personal highlights included the blistering performance of “Wolf Like Me,” and the sweet building “Province.”

Both bands last night provided a great jumpstart to a workweek that needed a good kick in the ass, at least on our end. Sure, we’re tired from a two and a half hour drive home afterwards and have about a pot of coffee in our stomachs, but last nights show was worth losing a couple hours of sleep and dragging myself through today.