Alt-J and Portugal. The Man ignite WaMu Theater

We headed over to WaMu Theater downtown after more than two years and we couldn’t wait for tonight’s show. We’ve been huge fans of Alt-J since the very beginning and have seen them come through every tour, always more impatient to hear our favorite songs. The Relaxer Tour in 2017 was one of our favorite production designs so we were eager to check out this one in support of their fourth studio album, The Dream.

The night started with Cherry Glazerr and Portugal. The Man which can stand alone with their own shows any day. Both very impressive openers created the mood that would flow throughout the rest of the night. Eager, intense, emotional, and smooth with a touch of ecstasy. Portugal. The Man strategically had Seattle specific slogans displayed on the screen behind them connecting with the city. One read, Bring back the Sonics, another Ichiro Hall of Fame, and another My posse is on Broadway.

After the success of 2017’s Woodstock, we are eager to hear their next album come out. Their latest song, “What, Me Worry?,” is keeping us intrigued enough and we like it. Portugal. The Man stopped a few times to chat with the audience saying how much they like the city and how happy they are to be back. They shared that they have recorded a lot of albums here. After their Grammy winning hit “Feel It Still,” a cover of “Another Brick In the Wall,” and “Purple Yellow Red and Blue,” their great set came to an end.

After a very quick break a raised platform was assembled in the middle of the large stage perfectly aligning it to the lighting rigs above which made the stage look like a two piece frame. When The Chemical Brother’s song “Hey Boy, Hey Girl” came to an end the venue went dark to welcome its headliners. The three members Gus Unger-Hamilton, Joe Newman, and Thom Sonny Green, took their spots according to their instruments.

The projection screen in the back displayed candles as “Bane” started their setlist. Then the energy jumped a bit with “Every Other Freckle,” and the new single, “The Actor.” We really enjoyed the pairing of the projections, lights, and lyrics throughout the night, noticing just how well thought out their tour really is. During “Tesselate,” a shark is slowly appearing on the screen matching the lyrics, “You’re a shark and I’m swimming.” During “Nara,” a sacred deer park in Japan, the song ends with two dear appearing in the end looking at each other mirroring the powerful lyrics, “To be a deer in Nara.”

A little after “The Gospel of John Hurt,” the group stopped the song to get help for an audience member. This brought up a memory for Newman as he went on to share the first time they were on tour in Seattle with Grouplove that he also fainted at. He further explained that someone asked him if he wanted a joint, which he thought was a cigarette because that’s what they call them in England. Little did he know it was not a cigarette which resulted in him fainting after, he smiled and said in sympathy, “It happens to the best of us.”

A few songs later towards the end of “Dissolve Me,” another audience member needed help so they ended it a little early and made it part of their encore break. They soon returned ending their live performance with hits, “Fitzpleasure,” “Left Hand Free,” “Hard Drive Gold,” and “Breezeblocks.” This show was such a delight and we really enjoyed attending it. There is absolutely not a minute you don’t feel overwhelmed by calmness and fulfilment as they play magical tunes paired with strange harmonies they can only seem to pull off.

Words and Photos by Sophia Barkalakis @s.barkalakis