The addition of Siinai makes this second Moonface tour a full band affair, which does justice to the album’s lush arrangements. The ever-restless Krug was on vocal duty for every song, but also alternated between guitar, keyboard, or feverish instrument- free pacing of his limited free space on the stage. The Siinai crew made their multi- instrumental talents known too, switching guitar for bass, bass for synths, and synths for various other gadgets. Even percussion on a standard drum kit felt more multifaceted than the average band, pounding with a tribal stomp or locking into a quick and precise groove in a blink. Siinai’s instrumental prowess and versatility prove a fitting accompaniment for Krug’s complex songwriting and intensity as a performer.
A setlist comprised mainly of songs from Heartbreaking Bravery also included a full- band reworking of an older Moonface song, which brought with it a similar sense of increased urgency and intensity. The songs remained structurally the same as their album counterparts, but the drums kicked harder, the guitars cut deeper and the instrumental crescendos towered higher. Krug also seemed to push his distinctive vocal yelp a bit further than usual. Hell, their single song encore even managed to make a Creedence cover (“Run Through the Jungle,” naturally) into an imposingly heavy motorik post-punk jam.
This being their first record and tour together, the degree to which Krug and Siinai play to each other’s strengths is impressive. Heartbreaking Bravery is a strong record on its own, but their live show greatly enhances one’s appreciation of it. No word yet on where Krug is headed when this tour wraps up (a return to Sunset Rubdown? a reactivation of Wolf Parade? more solo records?), but further work with his current collaborators would be a most welcome possibility.
-Ben Stas
Photo Credit: Ben Stas
