This is kind of a difficult article for me to write. We went to see Alcest in Dresden on October 7th for their Écailles de lune anniversary tour. Originally, I had tickets for Hamburg the week earlier, but couldn't make the date due to family obligations. As Alcest is one of my absolute favourite bands, we got tickets for Dresden instead. And I am nearly ashamed to write it - but it was a total waste of money. There. I said it. It was not worth it.
The location was a pleasant surprise. The Stromwerk in Dresden was a nice location, very well kept and with a good sized stage. Admisson was at 6 PM and the first band was to play at 7 PM. I hadn't done my homework, because I wasn't aware of three supporting acts. I had expected The Devil's Trade as they were stated on my ticket, but the other two bands were not on my radar. So my first mistake was to go to the front row at 7 PM. Opening band was Fvnerals, delivering a wall of dense doom/dark ambient sound. Not the easiest band to start the evening with. I will listen to their newest release Let the Earth be Silent (2023) though as I am sure it just needs the right mood for it to work properly.
Next up was Heretoir and they were a pleasant surprise. I hadn't heard of Heretoir so far, but was quickly drawn in by their very likeable frontman and their music. If you like Alcest, you will like Heretoir. Watch out for my next blog article, I will introduce them to you.During their set, I first noticed there was something seriously wrong with the sound. I heard the guitarist right in front of me. I heard his picking. But the sound didn't come from the speakers. You only heard two guitars, but not the third one.
Next up was The Devil's Trade as announced on the tickets, Dark Doom Folk from Hungary. I was actually really looking forward to hearing some of his songs, but my body decided otherwise. I don't know what caused it, standing too long, the cocktail with my food earlier, the wobbling sounds and lights - I fainted like a teenage girl at a Backstreet Boys concert. Chris got me out and my front row space was gone. Instead of The Devil's Trade I got some sitting on the pavement with a stinking plastic cup of water instead. Nice. I rallied after half an hour and made my way back in just as The Devil's Trade had finished playing. I managed to get back relatively close to the stage, but it wasn't really feeling good anymore at that point.
And now I have to write about something I am actually not quite comfortable writing about, because I am pretty sure nobody can understand it and I will probably make myself look very unlikeable. Anyhow, here it goes. What dampened my mood considerably was the crowd of fangirls in the front rows. I had wondered before buying tickets how music like Alcest's would work in a crowd. For me, Alcest plays very personal and introspective music and I usually listen to it on my headphones, on my own. It is music that really touches upon my emotions and I need those emotions to enjoy the music. I learned something new this evening:
There is music, I don't like to share.
Selfish? Stupid? Really awkward? Maybe. But that's how it is. I felt incredibly disturbed and thrown off by seeing giggling and really way too over the top fans in the front row, yelling 'I love you'. I sure as hell did not expect that at any kind of black metal concert. Turns out - Alcest has a huge female fanbase. Now I was glad I didn't get to see the Cradle of Filth/Alcest tour... The last straw was the sound. I had high hopes the sound technicians had figured out by now what wasn't working, but apparently they didnt't. I stood front and center and Neige's voice was merely audible. He was drowned out by the instruments, I didn't understand a word of his interludes. Neige's vocals are such an integral part of Alcest's music and although the musical part was really good, it ruined the set as a whole.
After a few songs, I went and stood at the side of the stage where you had room to breathe and even some fresh air. It didn't made anything worse with regard to the sound. Not a good sign. We actually left before Alcest finished the set, something I had only done once before (Kelly Family, 1995. I was 10 and really tired). I went with a lot of regret and anger even. I am sad it didn't turn out the way I hoped.
That said - Alcest is still one of my favourite bands. And I don't think they are bad live band. I've watched many live recordings saying otherwise. But in Dresden, the mix was just really bad. Maybe I'll try them another time at another location. But maybe... maybe I'll be just happy listening to them on my own in the future, satisfied to having this piece of music for myself when I do.