Paradiso is one of the most iconic venues in Amsterdam where on June 24th it opened its doors for the fans of American Football. Despite the heatwave, devoted audience members queued outside as they impatiently waited for the show to start.
As the room filled with more and more people the opening act, Marconi Union, stepped on the stage. The English ambient band picked up their instruments and immersed the audience into their eternal and dynamic sound. Supported by the rhythmic lightshow the duo (Jamie Crossley and Duncan Meadows) performed six songs from their various albums and set the mood for the rest of the night.
Even before they stepped on stage the crowd started to cheer for Mike Kinsella, Steve Holmes, Nate Kinsella, Steve Lamos. They were also joined by their current touring musicians Mike Garzon and Cory Bracken. The night began with the first single from their freshly released album, American Football(LP4), ‘Man Overboard’. After a seven year break since their last album, American Football(LP3), the band comes back with ten songs that share their personal stories about sobriety, infidelity and divorce. Fans of the band were thrilled for the release and the record was positively received by critics. Mature sound and honest lyrics make this album sound raw and genuine.
The setlist was built mainly around the new album with the addition of well-known tracks like, ‘Honestly?’, and ‘Never Meant’. Of course, songs from the earlier albums brought a euphoric reaction from the audiences. But new material was appreciated and enjoyed by every single person in the room. The visual aspects of the tour added to the atmosphere, perfectly curated lighting and projections were beautifully combined with the music and reflected emotions that each song brought up.
During several songs Steve Lamos stepped away from the drums and played the trumpet, which elevated songs like ‘Stay Home’ and ‘The One With The Pulitzer’. Finishing the first part of the show with ‘Never Meant’ was an amazing choice. The crowd was happy to sing along and dance to the sound of the beloved song from the band’s debut album.
Encore began with ‘The One With The Piano’ and ‘Patron Saint Of Pale’, followed by the most haunting tracks from the new record, ‘No Feeling’ and ‘Bad Moons’. ‘No Feeling’ is a track that hits you with the weight of suicidal ideations and depicts death and farewell. The final song of the set is the eight minute long track, ‘Bad Moons’, which portrays the melancholic and heavy transition from a young child into an adult.
As the final notes faded into silence the audience exhaled and Paradiso’s Main Hall erupted into applause and cheers. The room was filled to the maximum capacity and there was not a single person there who did not feel like they witnessed a mesmerizing, cathartic and euphoric performance. American Football’s latest album is available on all streaming platforms and their tour is moving from Europe, beginning its North American leg on July 7th in New York City.
Written by: Valeria Melynicsenko
Photographed by: Valeria Melynicsenko
Edited by: Sabine de Graaf
