Soundscape surround

FANS OF ALTERNATIVE pop rock group Incubus enjoyed a funky treat on Wednesday night as the Californian band returned to Thailand for their third gig in just over a decade,

The band played their debut concert in Bangkok back in 2004 at the now-defunct BEC Tero Hall and tickets went faster than hot cakes. They came back in 2012 when they headlined the Silverlake Music Festival in Pattaya. This time around, they didn’t quite manage to sell out Thunderdome, Muang Thong Thani but despite the empty seats gave their very best to old and new fans with a set that included numbers spanning their 20-year career.

Local DJ Spydamonkee warmed up the crowd before vocalist Brandon Boyd, guitarist Mike Einziger, bassist Ben Kenney, drummer Jose Pasillas and DJ Kilmore took the stage and kicked off with rock classics “Wish You Were Here” and “Anna Molly”.

“Hello Bangkok!” frontman Boyd shouted to the crowd. “It’s good to be back. It’s been so long since last time, and we’re sorry about that.

“And do you realise that we’re playing at a concert hall with the best sound system in the world? Thunderdome!” The crowd responded with a loud cheer, which loosely translated as “Yes, we feel your pain!” The show continued with the less upbeat, “Adolescent”, the first single from their latest CD “If Not Now, When?” that came out in 2011. Next up was “Made for TV Movie” from 2004’s “A Crow Left of The Murder” and featured a snippet of Lionel Ritchie’s “Hello”.

More progressive numbers with an atmospheric rock edge followed including “Absolution Calling”, “Vitamin”, “If Not Now, When?”, all of which showcased Boyd’s unique vocalisation and his talent for percussion. 

The band then revved up with a set of heavy rock tracks that included their big hit “Circles” and new tracks Trust Fall”, “In the Company of Wolves” and “A Kiss to Send Us Off” where the spotlight was firmly on Einziger. Regarded as one of the best rock guitarists around, Einziger’s style is immediately recognisable and his enthusiastic use of pedalboard guitar effects during live concerts never fails to add depth and dimension to the group’s broad musical palette. His flowing, experimental sounds went refreshingly well with DJ Kilmore’s turntablism that added interesting layers of sounds and textures to the soundscape. 

Fans were taken back in time with Incubus’ early hits that exuded grungy twang, nu-rock and progressive vibes. The crowd rocked back and forth in full swing to songs like “Nice to Know You”, “I Miss You”, “Sick Sad Little World”, “Drive”, “Pardon Me” and “Megalomaniac”, which wrapped the first part of the show.

The crowd cheered, “Incubus! Incubus!” for a few minutes before the quintet came back on stage again with “Warmth”, the groovy alternative rock track from “Make Yourself”, the band’s third album in 1999 that went double platinum in the US. The boys capped off the concert with “A Crow Left of the Murder” from another best-selling album of the same name. 

While some fans were a little disappointed that they didn’t get to hear the band’s early and familiar hits like “Are You In?”, “Love Hurts” and “Stellar”, most would agree that this was a very fulfilling show for anyone who enjoys Incubus’ music. 

In addition to being prolific musicians with unmistakable showmanship, the way the band is able to put together an interesting set list based on a diversely adventurous discography and pull off such a powerful, tight and refined show, makes them one of the most exhilarating live acts around.