When I first found out I was getting into SXSW this year, I was ecstatic.
And with a music badge at that? Over the moon.
I immediately started checking out the bands that would be there, focusing on international groups that are a rare sight in the United States. Irish electronic post-punk trio Chalk was one of the first names that stood out, and “Can’t Feel It” was the first track I clicked on.
I was instantly hooked.
The synths and the passionate Auto-Tuned vocals build into an intense ending that made it one of my favorite songs of last year.
If I were going to see any band at SXSW, it had to be them. I’m really glad I got the opportunity to do so at their first performance of the festival at the backyard stage at Downright Austin.
The coolest thing about their sets here was that they’re coming hot off their debut album, Crystalpunk, which dropped just this past Friday.
It’s safe to say it’s my favorite of the year so far.
Not only is “Can’t Feel It” on there, but there are lots of amazing moments within its 10 songs that I’ve had on straight repeat since its release.
“Bèal Feirste,” in particular, is a masterpiece of a song. The 8-minute track feels like the album’s ultimate climax, its entrancing nature locking me in, with repeating refrains of “Feelin’ alone” and “Standing shoulder to shoulder.”
The whole project is an entrancing industrial experience, with parts that feel haunting yet mesmerizing. It’s genuinely been a comfort album for me, which I would have never expected from an industrial punk record.
I was very excited to see how these songs would translate live, particularly in the daytime setting I was seeing them in. I felt these songs were better suited for nighttime performances; they did have shows later in the night, but they were a bit past my bedtime.
But no surprise, they still came across so well right out in the bright Austin sun. During their 30-minute set, the three members were so comfortable and so in sync. Ross Cullen was amazingly expressive, at times moving his arms slowly in a hypnotic way, feeling every moment of the music.
I wasn’t sure how much Auto-Tune would be used live, but it turned out to be just the right amount. Paired with excellent live instrumentation from Benedict Goddard on guitar and synths, and Luke Niblock on drums, everything hit so hard live.
The pulsing synths and the sheer intensity of the drums powered through my entire body, with everyone just dancing away. “Can’t Feel It” really made an impact with the crowd; everyone there especially loved that amazing final part.
Just as I’m wrapping up this article, I saw that they’ll be performing at Lollapalooza in Chicago this summer. It’s not only insanely exciting, but it’s further confirmation that the more they perform here in the States, the more people are going to grasp onto their sound and their energy.
I know I already am. Not just from the album, but even more so seeing them live here at SXSW.
Crystalpunk is now available to stream on all platforms.
