KMFDM w/ CYANOTIC
@ FIRST AVENUE, MINNEAPOLIS (MN)
MARCH 17, 2024
In support of their most recent album Let Go, KMFDM have been crossing the country and made a stop at the famous First Avenue venue for over an hour-long set.
It was Saint Patrick’s Day… a Sunday… and starting at 9 PM. I thought that would hinder the turnout, but by the time Cyanotic took the stage, I was pleased to see the venue full.
The crowd gave the Chicago based industrial group a warm welcome. The stage was drenched in blue lighting, which is to be expected considering the word ‘cyanotic” means: marked by or causing a bluish or purplish discoloration. A projector cast images across the stage, often covering singer Sean Payne as he peered into the crowd. Their 45-minute set included their songs “Crash Override” and “Are We Still Alive” from their most recent album The After Effect. Members David Kultgen (visuals), Jesse Hunt (drums), Brad Houston (guitar) and Connor Eck (synth) were lined up across the front of the stage all engrossed in their instruments. Elements of Front Line Assembly, Skinny Puppy, and some Front 242 influences could be heard.
LET GO ALBUM REVIEW
A half hour wait for KMFDM to take the stage, and once their set start, you could see why. An elaborate light set up, and from beginning to end, a nearly nonstop light show to complement their set that lasted over an hour. While the lighting could be considered obnoxious to some, each song had its own accompanying light sequence, adding personality to each song. It’s quite honestly one of the most impressive concert lighting performances I’ve ever seen. Sascha Konietzko and Lucia Cifarelli’s podiums were framed with lights, and a large square of lights framed Andy Selway, and his white drum set. Guitarist Andee Blacksugar, being the excellent showman that he is, was able to move back and forth across the stage with ease.
They opened with “All 4 1”. Cifarelli strut back and forth across the stage in her knee-high platform shoes as she sang “Airhead” and “Touch”. Konietzko, with his signature sunglasses and slightly skewed hat that he wore for the entire performance, pulled out the megaphone for “Turn The Light On.”
There was no chit chat in between the songs, with the stage going dark for a few seconds before the next song started. “Naive” was a surprise to some fans as it is an older song and seldom part of their setlist. After playing nearly an hour, they took a very brief intermission, then came back to the stage for an encore.
Cifarelli performed a song from her upcoming solo project called “No God Here”, showing off her vocal chops and accompanied by a violinist.
It was all the bells and whistles you get with a KMFDM show. Fans of their most recent albums will especially find this tour enjoyable.
(Photography by Trista Whitman)
Photos
SPILL FEATURE: GET YOUR MOTHERFUCKIN’ HEAD ON STRAIGHT – A CONVERSATION WITH SASCHA K OF KMFDM
Artist Links
Background Photo Credit: Bobby Talamine
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: KMFDM – LET GO
SPILL TRACK OF THE MONTH: KMFDM – “LET GO”
SPILL NEW MUSIC: KMFDM – “AIRHEAD”
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: KMFDM – “LET GO”
