As the stormy weather cleared up, and the spring sun shone down in Dallas, two alternative-grungy style bands with similar stories came together for an epic show. Swervedriver and Failure are both bands with a long history. Both forming within a year of each other (1989 and 1990) and both breaking up within a year of each other (1997 and 1998) and then reuniting in 2008 and 2013 respectively. With both bands classifying their sound as “space rock,” it’s a tour that is seemingly perfect.
Hailing from Oxford, England, where their music didn’t take off at the level of some of their peers, Swervedriver sure was welcomed here in Dallas. Fans, young and old alike, gathered around and broke out in a cheer when the lights finally dimmed down after about 10 minutes of technical difficulties. Their set started at approximately 8:15 and with all their epic instrumental breaks, their set lasted about an hour, playing a variety of songs that spanned all eras of their albums, including their most recent album, Future Ruins. If you’re looking for a band that’ll take you on a musical journey, Swervedriver is the band for you.
Last to the stage, the band everyone was waiting for: Failure. This Los Angeles space-rock band definitely earns that title as the electronic echoing and mysterious synth-y tunes rang out during their opening interlude, “Segue 11.” These encapsulating sounds defined the atmosphere of their set to follow.
Playing three songs (“Solar Eyes,” “Distorted Fields,” and “Heavy and Blind”) off their newly released album In The Future Your Body Will Be The Furthest Thing From Your Mind, they lead into their most popular hit, “Another Space Song” from their last album before their break up in 1997, Fantastic Planet. The crowd rang out in a collective cheer and they continued to play older hits, showing just how many people have been fans for decades. With hardly any breaks in between songs, Ken Andrews and Greg Edwards kept the crowd thoroughly engaged the entire time with their intricate light show and meticulously executed songs. As the night came to an end, fans left feeling satisfied and still buzzing off of the rock and roll high.
– Lauren Frederick
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