With opening act The Black Angels starting on midnight, and Metric set to hit the stage near 1:00am, I was wondering what the crowd might be like for a show at such an hour.

Arriving to Highline Ballroom right at midnight, I was shocked to see the line extend way beyond the adjacent Western Beef super meat store. Thankfully, I was able to bypass the line and head straight in. (with many many thanks to John!)


As expected, Metric hit the stage promptly at the 1:00am hour and started with a slow groove that ultimately launched into the ferocious and frenetic arrangement of Dead Disco. Frontwoman Emily Haines commanded the audience's attention from the get-go, in a barely there silver lamé number and blonde locks a rockin'.

Poster of a Girl was third on the set list, but it seemed (at that point) that it was number one in the hearts and feet of everyone in attendance. Much sweating, much dancing and much singing was on display...both on stage and in the crowd.


The highlight of the show was the performance of Rock Me Now. Call me biased, as it's my favorite song of theirs, but with a call and response and eventually the crowd taking over on the "ooh ooh oohs" of the chorus, much to the delight of Ms. Haines, this song was easily the crowd favorite. Haines later referenced the stellar audience participation during the encore, when she urged everyone to "be a hippie" and have a sing-a-long to Live it Out.


Before the encore, however, the final song on the set was crowd pleaser Combat Baby. I don't think I've ever been more thrilled to have the collective sweat of all those around me rain down on my being. The same could be said for the duration of the next to last song of the encore, Monster Hospital.


We've made a habit of trying to never leave a show we enjoyed this much without a souvenir in hand. Usually, it's the set list, and of course, we ended up victorious again.

Metric is a highly respected band in the Beaston camp, and an even more esteemed live act which we recommend you make every valiant attempt to catch.

mp3: Metric - Poster of a Girl