3 Reasons You Should See Close to Monday Live

European darkwave / synth-pop duo Close to Monday landed in America last month for their first ever U.S. tour, and when they hit the stage at NYC’s Bowery Electric they brought a special kind of cool with them.

Consisting of singer-songwriter Ann, and musical producer Alexander, Close to Monday have a sound that can be loosely described as Portishead meets Depeche Mode.

Ann uses her voice as an instrument, and Alexander is a musical mad scientist, hitting all the right keys to create the perfect sound.

While the visual projection element of Close to Monday’s show couldn’t happen, because Bowery Electric isn’t set up for it, the duo had their projections off to the side.

This minor alteration didn’t phase Ann and Alexander one bit, as they put on a performance that wowed everyone in the crowd.

Here are three reasons you should be in the crowd, and see Close to Monday live when they come to your city.

They create a magical sonic bubble 

One thing about electronic artists, specifically electronic artists with vocalists, is that when they’re at their best they can make the entire world disappear while on stage. Some people call it a vibe, some people call it a mood, I call it a magical sonic bubble, because it really does feel like the artist, through their music, has covered the audience in a protective dome where only the music, and how it’s making you feel matters.

It’s a shared experience, and while I’m not an EDC guy, I totally get it, because Close to Monday creates that magical sonic bubble, and it’s really awesome when you’re in it.

To exist in that bubble, even if it’s just for 30 to 45 minutes, is a great experience.

Their on-stage juxtaposition is very cool 

Ann and Alexander are in perfect harmony musically, which is why it’s so fun to see how different they are on stage. She’s ethereal, both vocally, and presence-wise, while he has more of a man behind the curtain vibe.

He provides the music that she sways and gyrates to as she sings, and as she sings he’s as enraptured by the sound as the audience.

It’s a mutual exchange of energy, and it’s really cool to see that they individually inspire each other, while combined they inspire the audience.

They wear their influences well 

Earlier I described Close to Monday’s sound as Portishead meets Depeche Mode. Another band that gets referenced when talking about the duo is New Order, and Ann and Alexander leaned into that influence with the one cover they performed at Bowery Electric – yup, you guessed it, “Blue Monday.”

Close to Monday performing “Blue Monday” on a Monday may have opened up a portal to another dimension somewhere, so if you’re reading this from the other side of that portal – sorry bro, but for those of us in attendance, it was totally worth it.

The duo’s version of “Blue Monday” mixed their own sound with some New Order, and a dash of the slightly darker, and heavier Orgy cover of the song.

It was fantastic, and once again, sorry to whoever fell into the portal that was opened by it. Next time, try to be in Close to Monday’s magical sonic bubble, where you’ll be safe!

For more Close to Monday, and to see when they’ll be coming to your area, check out closetomonday.com.