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Ghostland Observatory
Austin’s most beloved electronica/dance band, Ghostland Observatory, is lit to pop, and its Heineken Stage performance was like a sonic countdown on its liftoff to stardom. The duo —- multi-instrumentalist Thomas Turner and vocalist/guitarist Aaron Behrens —- are the underground darlings of Austin. And after the band’s 1:30 p.m. spot-on performance at Zilker Park, it’s guaranteed that it made thousands of new fans, too.
Ghostland’s ACL performance was a thing of beauty under a blistering sun. Clad in a baby-blue Dracula cape, with a hand-stitched iron cross on the back, Turner had on his game face as he created the danceable blips, beeps, squeals and shrieks from his multiple keyboards and synthesizers.
Behrens looked like … well, he actually looked like a hip-hop version of the great Native American warrior Geronimo, dancing and writhing as Turner dropped his hot electronic beats.
One of Ghostland’s strengths, aside from Behrens’ electrifying charisma as a frontman, is its variety. One moment, Turner will be programming and cutting up beats. A second later, he will be laying them down organically as he sits behind a drum-kit. Likewise, Behrens can play creative leads on his shiny Fender Telecaster, only moments later to put it down and incite the audience to clap and dance while stalking the stage.
“Sad Sad City” and “Ghetto Magnet” were audience favorites. But truth be told, there wasn’t a song that the audience didn’t love. The simplicity of Ghostland’s dual instrument-attack and one-voice playing in unison sounded amazing compared with the mish-mush mixes of some of the larger ensemble bands.
Ghostland passed the big stage/outdoor festival test with psychedelically electronic colors.
“I don’t want to leave this stage,” Behrens said as he smiled and waved to the audience. “We’re enjoying ourselves so much.”
And now it looks like now that more than just Austinites love Ghostland.
(photo by Jay Janner AMERICAN-STATESMAN)
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: 2006 Reviews
Comments
By San Saba News & Star
September 25, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this
We would like permission to reprint your article on Aaron Behrens in the Sept. 16 issue of the Austin American Statesman (Ghostland Observatory). Some from here think it’s a great story on one of their former San Saba High School alumni.
By Laura
September 21, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this
This was by far one of the top 5 shows of the weekend! I was there start to finish all three days and must say these guys rocked.
By David
September 20, 2006 01:28 PM | Link to this
Dreadful stuff. Behrens’ voice was unbearable (imagine Geddy Lee’s most annoying passages repeated ad infinitum) and the music was utterly devoid of soul. How can so many people be so completely fooled?
By Nikki Vespa
September 17, 2006 08:10 PM | Link to this
Simply amazing performance!
By Braulio Vespucci
September 16, 2006 09:32 PM | Link to this
Yes!!! The absolute highlight of the festival so far.