GYBE gives experimental performance in Detroit
By Andy Haughey Contributor
After ten years without an album and a recent reunion in 2010, Godspeed You! Black Emperor officially released their fourth studio album Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend! on Oct. 16. The band is known for performing long and complicated songs, which often contain several progressions that branch out from their original structures.
GYBE’s musical style translated well at the Majestic Theatre in Detroit last Sunday night. Throughout the set, the nine-piece band stood in a circular formation and never stopped playing music. In fact, several members played different instruments in unusual and haunting ways; one member used a bow to play guitar.
GYBE is known for creating music that carries strong political undertones. Rarely do any of the band members speak or use words to prescribe meaning to the music. Rather, the band uses noises and harmonies to leave the music open to interpretation.
By the closing portion of their set last Sunday, GYBE had set the tone for revolution. The projected images behind them sometimes showed cityscapes and police ordering people about, only to be followed by revolts in the street, riots, violence. Each member walked off stage to fading music.
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