Liam Finn and Eliza Jane
Whatever was in the air Friday night, people must have been breathing in something good. With smoke machines puffing, a packed crowd drew close to the stage of The Independent in anticipation of Liam Finn + Eliza Jane. As the duo entered the stage, the venue erupted in rousing applause before deadening as the muted electronic beat of “Plane Crash” opened the set. EJ prowled the stage, drum sticks clenched in her fists, as Liam switched out the guitar for the drum set and EJ began brewing up a batch of psychedelic wails.
“You’re always the best crowd, but today you’re beautiful!” smiled Liam, queuing up a knockout performance of “Better To Be”, which quickly shifted from sugary sweet pop rock to an uninhibited jam session of dirty distortion, delighted chuckles from Eliza Jane and a drum solo that could only be described as ballistic.
Transitioning into “I’ll Be Lightning”, with the reverb on full blast, this was no regurgitated title track. Riffing against the looped chord progression of the song, Liam abused his guitar to the point of wild static, jumping on the drums for the climax as lights flashed and EJ raged alongside him.
“I don’t know who’s doing the lights, but you’re fucking on it!” cried Liam, totally inebriated in the moment, “I’m gonna throw some curveballs and you try to keep up!” With that, Liam began strumming a fast-paced version of “Second Chance”, practicing restraint as Eliza Jane added quick harmonies before they both dissolved back into chaos.
With the crowd screaming approval, Liam jumped back on the drum set, transitioning into a mind-bending performance of Lead Balloon. The drums looped as Liam switched back to his guitar, melting to his knees. Eliza Jane followed his lead, crouching on the ground and releasing ghoulish wails as Liam began experimenting with the nobs at the foot of the stage, turning the massive wall of sound they’d created into a low, deep buzz. Adding falsetto “oohs” to bring the song back to its original state, both lost control again, grabbing at instruments and experimenting with sounds in a massive psychedelic freak-out. Totally wild, Liam threw his guitar, grabbing his two drumsticks and bashing on the side of the drum set, bounding around the stage and screaming into the microphone.
Then the sound cut off, Liam standing center stage basking in the sudden silence. The crowd stared right back, stunned with their minds thoroughly blown. Breaking the spell, Liam grabbed the mic one more time, “So long, San Francisco! Have a good night!” – Kelsey Bryant
Links and Listen:
“Plane Crash” Liam Finn Ft. Eliza Jane, Champagne in Seashells
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