The last time I saw Spiritualized, five or six years ago at the Gypsy Tea Room, the light show was incredible. The choreographed strobes and beams of light cutting through the smoke were such an integral part of the experience that I wondered how a daytime set would be. Well, there was plenty of smoke this time, at least where I stood, but no effects were needed. With a duo of female backup singers, they burned through a soulful set of favorites like the Rhodes-piano soaked gospel “Sound of Confusion” before closing with a thundering “Come Together” with a long outro of feedback noise and random drumming. But the set of the day so far was Erykah’s awesomely engrossing show. More on her later. Gotta catch the Black Keys. –Jesse Hughey
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 1, 2008.
