The Airborne Toxic Event return to Seattle with Glory
to see them perform. The band was in town playing two nights at Showbox Market and we attended the second one. A couple years back we caught their intimate fan show at Chop Suey and even though we loved being a part of the small space we were thrilled to see them in a larger room playing songs from their latest release, Glory. The band currently consists of Mikel Jollett (vocals, guitar), Steven Chen (guitar, keyboards), Adrian Rodriguez (electric bass), Daren Taylor (drums), and Miriam “Mimi” Peschet (violin).
The same feelings arise when we think back to seeing them for the first time they played SoDo in 2009 and the flooding of emotions that took over when Jollett sang the lyrics to “Sometime Around Midnight.” His power to tell a story and to paint the picture as the song plays on with such charisma. This is something he hasn’t lost in all of the years of writing and something we always appreciated about him. The fact that the songs are not written in the normal formula that would make a hit song. Most of them don’t repeat choruses and continue in a linear direction instead or reprise. This is how he truly stands out at the end and that’s what made that song a hit. The story, the emotions, the intensity, the end.
Jollett has showcased this talent even further writing an autobiography a few years ago, Hollywood Park. His book along with Michelle Zauner‘s “Crying in H Mart” are my favorite memoirs. They are both incredible writers so of course they know how to articulate their emotions and narrate a story. If you’re looking for books to read, these two should be on the top of that list.
We walked into the Market and caught another great band we hadn’t seen before, Brigitte Calls Me Baby, which felt like a great combo of modern and 80s party mix. The group was talented and got everyone ready for the main act. We danced around and follow the lead’s cue in participating making the set enjoyable.
After a short break Airborne was up and our hearts raced as the band took the stage kicking off the set with “Hollywood Park,” “Our Own Thunder Road,” and “All At Once.” We did peek at the setlist from the night before and it looks like we did get a little different one and a few more songs which felt lucky. “Elizabeth,” stood out early on as Jollett told the story of a past love and writing her a song. Jollett really pulls you into his emotions and for a quick second you can notice him closing his eyes, shutting his lids harder to some words feeling them all over again. All his vulnerability is shown on his face stripped from any facade for the whole world to see.
The tempo kicked up a notch with the band went into “Gasoline,” and “Hell and Back,” as emotions erupted and we all sang along. We forget how fun they are live and how much of a vibe it is on stage as they are having the time of their life. We ended on an ecstatic note of “Sometime Around Midnight,” and “Innocence,” that was played instead of “All I Ever Wanted,” which was a little disappointing because I really like that one. Then again, I appreciate a mix up in the setlist and got over it quickly.
The band returned and Jollett dedicated the first song of the encore to Chis Christopherson who passed away a week ago. He covered his track “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” and did it so elegantly and well. The 5-song return ended with “Missy,” and then “Happiness is Overrated,” finishing the two-hour set in Glory. It felt like the night went by way faster than we wanted but I guess that’s how it always is when you enjoy the music.
