Pavement’s Enigmatic Indie Anthems Remain Vital At Edgefield in Troutdale, OR (SHOW REVIEW)

It’s been about twenty-five years since we last got a new record from Pavement, but that hardly factored into the excitement when the band announced their second reunion tour. The pandemic that delayed the tour only added to the anticipation to catch these beloved indie rock heroes. But now, here we are in late 2022 and all is well in the Pavement universe as the band is finally on the road. On a chilly Friday evening, September 16th, just outside Portland, Oregon, the sense of excitement at finally being able to see Pavement was in the air when they made their way to Edgefield to perform in front of roughly 8,000 fans who had been waiting years for this moment.

Taking the stage to the slacker groove of “Our Singer,” the band members took their places as they eased into a set that would stretch nearly two hours. The droning build-up of “Frontwards” and jagged guitar styling of “Summer Babe” each found the band manifesting a wall of sound that seemed to fill every bit of sonic space. “Stereo” was an early set highlight, with the vocal interplay between Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich going full swing, with Mark Ibold laying down the song’s mischievous bass line. Backed by the double drum attack of Steve West and Nastanovich playing his own percussion setup, Malkmus would take the band into psychedelic guitar jam territory during “Type Slowly” only to follow it with the meandering “Embassy Row” that would kick into full-on punk-laced rock and roll. Malkmus would repeatedly prove throughout the night that, even after thirty years in the spotlight, he remains one of the most exciting, compelling, and downright coolest guitarists in rock as he steered songs into moments of jubilant oblivion.    

“Starlings of the Slipstream” stood out for its bass-driven artsy groove, followed by a bouncy “Gold Soundz” that saw Nastanovich hammering away with his rave-light tambourine and the audience singing along to every word. Scott Kannberg finally took the lead vocals during the catchy “Kennel District” before the band dropped back into some of the jammier segments of the night during songs like “Spit on a Stranger” and “The Hexx.” “Harness Your Hopes” and “Range Life” were two other highlights that saw Malkmus showing off his twangier guitar tones and laying down a pleasant and sunny country-tinged solo on the latter. Some of the show’s strongest moments came during the final three songs, with “Blue Hawaiian” carrying a weirdly funked out vibe that complemented the playful and unpredictable guitar interplay between Malkmus and Kannberg. Malkmus would add to the fun of “Cut Your Hair” with his own little dance moves, and “Fillmore Drive” would end on a high as it morphed into a triumphant moment of shoegaze glory. The band kept the party going during their five-song encore, with “Grounded” showcasing the euphoria-inducing guitar swell that captures the indie rock joy of Pavement, “Two States” dipping into a galloping country groove, and “Stop Breathin” closing it all out in fine fashion as the band ventured into psyched out territory with one of the darker jams of the night.

Though the band didn’t treat the crowd to any surprise new material, it hardly mattered. What mattered was that this moment so many fans had been waiting for came to fruition and, most importantly, the band delivered a performance that was anything but forgettable. They also didn’t seem to be phoning it in whatsoever, staying tight and cohesive throughout the night while also mixing up the setlist to satisfy both hardcore and fair-weather fans. Regardless of which category you fall into, Pavement is not to be missed on their current tour.

Pavement Setlist McMenamins Historic Edgefield Manor, Troutdale, OR, USA 2022

 

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