Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

CROSSES †††

Live at The Observatory North Park

December 12, 2024 Review by Samuel Hill

I rarely venture out on a Sunday night. It takes a compelling reason to disrupt my cherished routine of preparing for the week ahead. Sunday evenings are my sacred time for unwinding, a period I fiercely protect. Finding myself at The Observatory at 7:30 p.m. on a Sunday, an IPA in hand, felt like an unexpected twist of fate, but Crosses was performing, and choices were made.

As the show was set to begin, the lights dimmed, and the opening act graced the stage. A stunning woman in a flowing white dress set the atmosphere with a hauntingly beautiful introduction to the night’s first musical offering: Street Fever.

Emerging onto the stage in a black mirrored full-face hood, they commanded attention with an electrifying performance. Moving gracefully under the soft glow of lights, Street Fever led us through a gritty and raw sonic landscape.

Street Fever is no ordinary artist. This anonymous mixed-media performer hails from Boise, Idaho, and their past – marked by homelessness, mental health challenges, and addiction – deeply influences their artistry. Yet, these experiences are just part of what drives their music.

Growing up captivated by Three 6 Mafia and rooted in the DIY hardcore scene, Street Fever’s eclectic background shapes their unique sound, blending rap, industrial techno, noise, electro, pop, classical, and beyond.

Street Fever’s journey began with their 2015 debut EP, “Afflictions,” which features standout tracks like “Chamber” and “La Corde.” Their most recent single, “Black Crown,” showcases their versatility within the rap genre. “Sinner” emerges as a powerful anthem for inner strength and poetic liberation.

Street Fever successfully fused the essence of Crystal Castles with the intensity of Nine Inch Nails, and we were all fortunate to experience it. Their performance was a whirlwind of aggression, raw energy, and vulnerability, extracting catharsis from the audience and leaving a lasting impression on the night.

For devoted fans, a decade can stretch endlessly while waiting for their beloved band to perform live. Fortunately, it’s uncommon for most groups to let 10 years slip by without hopping on a tour bus and expressing their love for a nearby hometown. Sadly, this was the case for Crosses, often stylized as †††. The last time childhood friends and neighbors Chino Moreno (of Deftones) and Shaun Lopez (of Far) embarked on a dedicated tour was back in 2014, so when they finally arrived in town, it was time to set aside distractions and witness the magic.

The sound of Crosses is frequently categorized as electronic, electronic rock, dark wave, dark pop, dream pop, or witch house. However, this classification barely scratches the surface of their intricate musical tapestry. Their work weaves together elements from all these genres, creating a sonic experience that can shift from the haunting vibes of late-era White Ring to a sinister version of the Pet Shop Boys. This is a striking deviation from what one might anticipate from an alternative indie guitarist paired with a renowned metal and post-metal vocalist and Crosses have truly carved out a unique niche in the music landscape.

As the lights dimmed once more for the headlining act, the ballroom buzzed with excitement, nearly at full capacity. Three radiant baby-pink crosses illuminated the stage, and the crowd erupted as an instrumental track filled the air, signaling Crosses’ entrance. Moreno, renowned for his captivating stage presence, bounded onto the stage with his signature skip. Joined by the enigmatic figure of Lopez on guitar, the duo wasted no time launching into their set.

They kicked off with the pulsating keyboard lines and thunderous electronic beat of “Invisible Hand,” where Moreno glided effortlessly across the rhythm, showcasing his vocal prowess. The driving triplet downstrokes of “Initiation” soon followed, leading to Moreno’s soaring wail on the chorus.

Lopez’s guitar tone was electric, a clear sign he was ready to deliver an unforgettable performance. “Initiation” seamlessly transitioned into the heavy, percussive “Ghost Ride” and the irresistibly catchy “Vivien.” (Be sure to listen closely for the clever Britney Spears reference in the hook.)

The sultry punch of “This is a Trick” resonated perfectly, capturing all the weight of the album version. The piercing notes of the guitar in “Epilogue” punctuated Moreno’s brooding proclamation, “I won’t stop / Not ‘till I get what I want / And all that I want is you.”

We then transitioned into a breathtaking synth-horn introduction, seamlessly flowing into the sultry and atmospheric “Girls Float + Boys Cry.” With a rhythm that could easily belong to a mid-‘90s R&B hit, this track undeniably stood out. The absence of Robert Smith allowed the song to take on a more robust character, as Lopez enveloped the sound in a rich, immersive wall of sound.

As Crosses launched into what could be considered their signature track, “Bitches Brew,” the audience was completely captivated. Bathed in the glow of crimson-lit crosses, Moreno drew us in with his deceptively sweet vocals, only to deliver a gut-wrenching blow with the fierce scream of “Say something!”

The band then surged into the confident energy of “Big Youth,” featuring El-P. While Moreno typically refrains from rapping since the era of “White Pony,” he unleashed El-P’s verse with impressive flair.

By the time Crosses exited the stage, the crowd was electrified, reaching a fever pitch. They returned for an encore, treating us to a beautiful rendition of Lazzarus Q’s “Goodbye Horses” and a particularly inspired performance of “Telepathy.”

Moreno and Lopez wrapped up the night with the irresistibly seductive, galloping rhythm of “Option,” leaving us with a tantalizing conclusion to an extraordinary show.

As I began the drive home – the hour a bit later than was entirely responsible for a Sunday – I couldn’t help but smile. I regretted nothing. When Crosses comes to play your city, you must stop and listen.

SHOW PHOTO GALLERY

by Greg Vitalich Photography

<<SWIPE TO VIEW PHOTO GALLERY>>

TO FOLLOW

CROSSES †††

SID 241217 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR