Photo: Howard Shiau Photography
Photo: Howard Shiau Photography
Earlier this week on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 I had the honor of attending CHVRCHES’ iHeartRadio album release party for Love Is Dead at the iHeartRadio Theater in New York City. What follows is a fan perspective from this event with CHVRCHES.
Less than 24 hours before my flight was to depart from O’Hare International Airport in Chicago I received the invite from iHeartRadio to attend this special album release party in Manhattan. Scrambling to make last minute travel arrangements and running on three hours of sleep before departure I arrived during the lunch hour on Tuesday at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York not yet knowing what the day had to behold.
Less than 24 hours before my flight was to depart from O’Hare International Airport in Chicago I received the invite from iHeartRadio to attend this special album release party in Manhattan. Scrambling to make last minute travel arrangements and running on three hours of sleep before departure I arrived during the lunch hour on Tuesday at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York not yet knowing what the day had to behold.
Photo: Howard Shiau Photography
Photo: Howard Shiau Photography
Photo: Howard Shiau Photography
Most of the afternoon consisted of waiting outside the front of 32 6th Ave in Manhattan, location of iHeartRadio’s theater within the building. Sharing stories of the band and music while waiting with the admin for CHVRCHES Fans World Wide, we ran into CHVRCHES’ lighting designer Louis Oliver and not long afterwards Iain Cook. I think Cook’s ears were burning because he appeared just seconds after I had mentioned his name, it was quite comical. Not seeing these lads in quite sometime it was nice to finally meet Oliver and to converse with the always friendly and humble Cook with a big smile.
With anticipation building after each passing hour and getting closer to showtime a few other fans started to line-up including New York based photographer Howard Shiau who shared the rail with us up front and took the amazing photos featured in this review.
Not long before our scheduled time to check-in at 7:30 PM was upon us we queued up with about ten people for a meet and greet with Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook and Martin Doherty. Although it was a quick meeting it’s always a pleasure to speak with such lovely people. Being the first two in line all day we were able to get front center on the rail in a room that would eventually hold about 75-100 people in total for the intimate show that was about to leave us in awe.
With anticipation building after each passing hour and getting closer to showtime a few other fans started to line-up including New York based photographer Howard Shiau who shared the rail with us up front and took the amazing photos featured in this review.
Not long before our scheduled time to check-in at 7:30 PM was upon us we queued up with about ten people for a meet and greet with Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook and Martin Doherty. Although it was a quick meeting it’s always a pleasure to speak with such lovely people. Being the first two in line all day we were able to get front center on the rail in a room that would eventually hold about 75-100 people in total for the intimate show that was about to leave us in awe.
Photo: Howard Shiau Photography
Photo: Howard Shiau Photography
CHVRCHES took the stage around 9 PM kicking the night off with “Get Out”, followed by “Leave A Trace”, “Bury It”, “Miracle” and “The Mother We Share”. For the first half of their set, breaks were taken in between the five songs for short question and answer sessions with the host from iHeartRadio. Mayberry with her usual comedic banter was a delight as always.
Topics of discussion included working with The National’s Matt Berninger on “My Enemy”, working with Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart, online dating apps, living in the United States, the addition of live drummer Jonny Scott, filming the “Miracle” music video and feedback from fans.
Following the question and answer session the band continued on with a stellar second half set featuring older favorites and new tracks including “Lies”, “Never Ending Circles”, “God’s Plan”, “We Sink”, “Forever”, “Graffiti”, “Recover”, “Clearest Blue” and closing with “Never Say Die”. For those of you who have not yet seen them in concert or experienced the new songs live, what I can say is that you’re in for a big treat!
Topics of discussion included working with The National’s Matt Berninger on “My Enemy”, working with Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart, online dating apps, living in the United States, the addition of live drummer Jonny Scott, filming the “Miracle” music video and feedback from fans.
Following the question and answer session the band continued on with a stellar second half set featuring older favorites and new tracks including “Lies”, “Never Ending Circles”, “God’s Plan”, “We Sink”, “Forever”, “Graffiti”, “Recover”, “Clearest Blue” and closing with “Never Say Die”. For those of you who have not yet seen them in concert or experienced the new songs live, what I can say is that you’re in for a big treat!
Photo: Howard Shiau Photography
Photo: Howard Shiau Photography
Photo: Howard Shiau Photography
I have been lucky enough to attend some amazing concerts including many from CHVRCHES but this day overall has to be one of the most memorable and certainly one I will never forget. Thank you to iHeartRadio for the invite. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook, Martin Doherty, Jonny Scott and crew of CHVRCHES for the experience of a lifetime. Well done everyone!
Photo: Lauren Mayberry Fans
Setlist
Get Out
Q+A
Leave A Trace
Q+A
Bury It
Miracle
Q+A
The Mother We Share
------------------------------
Lies
Never Ending Circles
God’s Plan
We Sink
Forever
Graffiti
Recover
Clearest Blue
Never Say Die
Love Is Dead is available now worldwide.
Photos courtesy of Howard Shiau Photography. Setlist photo by Lauren Mayberry Fans.
Get Out
Q+A
Leave A Trace
Q+A
Bury It
Miracle
Q+A
The Mother We Share
------------------------------
Lies
Never Ending Circles
God’s Plan
We Sink
Forever
Graffiti
Recover
Clearest Blue
Never Say Die
Love Is Dead is available now worldwide.
Photos courtesy of Howard Shiau Photography. Setlist photo by Lauren Mayberry Fans.
Photo: Howard Shiau Photography
Photo: Howard Shiau Photography
Photo: Howard Shiau Photography
Photo: Howard Shiau Photography
Photo: Howard Shiau Photography
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