Photos & Review by Jake Seaton
If there was ever an absolute need for Hopscotch, it is now.
Between the Republican National Convention last week and the Democratic National Convention this week, Raleigh screamed for a break from the political monotony. And somewhat ironically — perhaps fate? — one of the bands to close out Hopscotch’s first night this year was a band called Liars.
But Liars wasn’t my first stop, rather it was right next door at Fletcher Opera Theatre for Matthew E. White and his 30-piece ensemble.
The Richmond-based big man is no stranger to Hopscotch. Last year his improvisatory ensemble Fight the Big Bull took the stage at the Pour House.
But this year White upped the ante with “One Incantation Under God,” a performance of his album Big Inner complete with 30 of his closest friends.
“In January, [Hopscotch curator] Grayson Currin reached out to me and proposed what may well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: the resources and the platform for a true performance of Big Inner in its entirety — each song and its full instrumentation,” White explained.
Not only was the performance a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” it was also one of the most well-produced and awe-inspiring concerts I’ve experienced.
With orchestration by musical director Trey Pollard and choir direction by Phil Cook, each facet of the performance was finely tuned and expertly delivered. As elegantly delivered as the ballet that will grace that very stage next week.
“I aim to make music … with this gifted ensemble that is greater than anything I can make on my own,” White said. “We will certainly never all be in the same place again and this music may never again be performed like this.”
Next door, the scene was very different. What was Matthew E. White’s waltz was Liar’s mosh pit.
In the massive Memorial Auditorium, three men filled the room with a breed of post-punk I’d never experienced live.
Liars entranced the audience and probably shattered a few ear drums in the process. In fact, I had to back away from the stage because I literally thought my ears were bleeding.
This was not a fault, however, as it was an experience that best suited the trio. A controlled chaas, if you will.
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