SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: LUCY DREAMS – LIVE AT WIENER KONZERTHAUS

LUCY DREAMS
LIVE AT WIENER KONZERTHAUS
SONICWAVEARTPOP

Before Lucy Dreams released their most recent studio album, VVVVV, they performed it, in its entirety in concert. This live album, which was released with absolutely no fanfare or publicity, is one of the concerts where the band performed the songs. Lucy Dreams is a three-piece band, two humans (Zero, One) and one computer (Lucy). This album, Live At Wiener Konzerthaus, was recorded at an historic concert venue in Vienna, Austria. It is the perfect venue for the band, and this live recording is testament to that statement.

The concert was recorded on October 14, 2025, and this album arrives one year to the day of it being performed. While the album is a straight-ahead live album, hearing VVVVV in its early incarnation brings a slight new edge to the proceedings. It is not that different from the released album, but it is interesting to hear the songs in front of an audience. There are differences, such as the concert opens with “Rosalie”, whereas the album opens with “You, as in Universalism,” which was excluded from the concert performance. But “Rosalie” (which is from their first release) is a wonderful introduction and sets the stage perfectly, and includes the intriguing “Z and I,” which was not on the album but was released as a single earlier this year.

Some of the songs do sound a little different, such as “Code To My Mind,” which is longer in concert than the studio recording, and “Be Here Now,” which is extended in concert and actually sounds better in this incarnation. And keep in mind, this is a live recording, and the band (maybe not Lucy) are reacting to the response from the very appreciative crowd. Again, this brings an element of energy to the proceedings.

Overall, Live At Wiener Konzerthaus is a well recorded live album by a group who one may not expect to be a great live band. But, at the heart of Lucy Dreams, there are two individuals who create very unique and well-crafted songs, with the help of the non-human, Lucy. Live At Wiener Konzerthaus is a different view of Lucy Dreams and an exciting sound from them. This album is recommended to those who may not view Lucy Dreams as a functioning unit, but they are and based on this recording, the next time they perform anywhere near Toronto, I will be sure to be there to catch the show.

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