Grizzly Bear w/ LSO @ Barbican, 2/11/09

Continuing the belated nature of my review writing, on Saturday I went to see the hot property of alt-indie at the moment, Grizzly Bear.

No introduction needs to made really; their third album 'Veckatimest' is one the finest releases this year, they've hit the top 10 of the Billboard chart, and can now even count Jay-Z as a fan (!). They have slowly but surely crept up the ranks to the upper echelons of the left-field.

But this was to be no ordinary gig, for they were performing with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican, a venue more familiar with classical and avant-garde musicians. However, this wasn't strictly new territory for Grizzly Bear, as they appeared with the Brooklyn Philarmonic Orchestra earlier this year in New York. Reading this left me longing to witness it myself, so naturally I couldn't believe it when they announced similar plans in London.

The grandeur of the Barbican's Main Hall was certainly befitting of Grizzly Bear, who possess an equally grand sound which makes them a perfect match for an orchestra. The results were largely successful, with many of the songs avoiding the 'band with strings glued on' approach that composer Nico Muhly claimed to have evaded in the programme. Live rarities 'Easier' and 'Central And Remote' were positively illuminated by the additional instruments, as were the more epic, soaring numbers such as 'Ready, Able', 'Colorado' and Knife'. Other instances left a me with a feeling that the orchestra did little to serve a meaningful contribution to the song, and were instead an ornamental feature.

Despite their heavy touring, stage banter doesn't come easy. Even with the orchestra backing them, they still came across as slightly awkward and insular, which may unfortunately become a thorn in their side if they're to gain a strong reputation as a great live band. A sense of detachment lingered in the air at times. That said, the best bands can let the music do the talking; and when Grizzly Bear hit their stride, the effects are staggering to say the least.