Moonlight Years, Ghostmeat, Luke Requena and Homa Khoshnavaz at Green Auto
Photo of the Moonlight Years by Maddy Cristall
Article by Keir Nicoll
The Green Auto, a new music hub in Vancouver, drew a packed crowd for a psychedelic extravaganza. Moonlight Years headlined the four-set show, fresh off their tour to Tofino the previous night.
Luke Requena who captured my attention with his minimal drum machine and synth, creating beats with small chords. The set was filled with heavy space and a fusion of Kraftwerk, Aphex Twin, and Massive Attack vibes. The well-placed hard-hit bass and snare, along with arpeggios, held it all together. And of course, more synth chords. The visuals throughout the night added to the psychedelic experience, with local characters discussing psych-rock festivals and more.
Ghostmeat, on the other hand, delivered broad sweeping textural gestures and longer phrases with chordal song structures. The occasional shrieking distorted lead guitars added to the magnitude of their performance. With two guitars and five members, one vocalist screamed while the other engaged in far-out yelling singing. The heavy vibe they brought to town was undeniable, taking listeners on a psych-rock journey reminiscent of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Monster Magnet, and Kyuss. The drumming was both brutal and carried the beat beautifully at different times. The visuals featured sacred geometry golden mean, abstract leafs, and blocked and circle patterns in white and yellow distress.
During The Moonlight Years performance, the audience was enveloped in a hushed reverence. The main performers graced the stage, leading the crowd on an enthralling sonic voyage. Their guitar melodies intertwined in a distinctive and captivating manner, with Etienne skillfully weaving intricate tunes while Randy added a mesmerizing drone. They effortlessly traded off lead-guitar duties, channeling the essence of iconic bands such as The Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, the Brian Jonestown Massacre, and the Dandy Warhols. The two vocalists continued to deepen their harmonies, forging a seamless connection between their voices and guitars. The bass and drums provided a rhythmic foundation that propelled the music forward, filling the venue with a groovy, weighty, yet harmonious sound. And if that wasn't remarkable enough, they even distributed complimentary mushrooms during the show which exemplified the experience into euphoria. In celebration of it being a small world. my neighbour Javier contributed stunning visuals to the performance, featuring digital water patterns resembling a flowing river over expansive, smooth stones. This added a cool and immersive element to the overall experience.
This was a night to remember at the Green Autobody, where music lovers immersed themselves in a world of psychedelic sounds and captivating visuals.