“Hello Internet!” Lynn Gunn says into the mic at a venue in Arizona. She is center stage, dressed in a flowy white top, flared pants and of course, her guitar. Although there is a full production setup, colorful lights and special effects, one thing is missing—a live audience.
For the first time ever, PVRIS performed its 11-track album, Use Me, in its entirety via a livestream, a practice that is becoming more and more common as bands try to find ways to connect to their fans safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you missed the livestream, don’t worry, we got you. Here’s three things we loved about the debut performance of PVRIS’ third album, Use Me.
1. PVRIS Cares About Fans
Fans were so excited for a new era of PVRIS history when the band released the album last year. It marked the rise of frontwoman, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Lynn Gunn stepping forward as PVRIS’ leader and sole architect, and the band’s die-hard followers, also known as the CVLT, were no doubt ready to see Gunn live in this new role.
to the CVLT, we miss the connection we shared with you on tour. we'd like to know, which PVRIS shows have you been to in the past? we think you might have a new favorite in nine days. pic.twitter.com/54Lc0vp2Tb
— PVRIS (@ThisIsPVRIS) April 8, 2021
Rather than just not performing the album while crowds still can’t gather, the band showed that they missed their connection to their fans and decided to try something new and potentially awkward by giving a live concert experience online.
During the livestream, fans can engage with each other and, in some cases the band, through a live chat, which helps cultivate that sense of togetherness and community that so many of us find at live shows.
While it’s not totally the same experience as seeing live music and making new friends at the venue, it’s definitely a solid start to bridging the gap.
2. Use Me Stays True to PVRIS’ Sound While Offering a Fresh Feel
Gunn’s raw, raspy and robust vocals are a hallmark of PVRIS and she doesn’t disappoint in Use Me: The Live Experience.
The glitchy, mysterious elements that trace back all the way to the band’s debut album, White Noise, are present throughout Use Me. The sharp lyrics and airy guitars fans have come to expect are showcased on the album’s lead single “Hallucinations.”
“Dead Weight,” ”Death of Me” and “Gimme A Minute,” equal parts make us want to dance and write sad poetry in our journals, in the best way.
3. PVRIS Doesn’t Compromise Quality
PVRIS gave a stellar performance Saturday, owning the stage and chatting between song transitions to really make the experience as inclusive for fans as possible.
The band gave the same quality performance they would in front of a live audience and didn’t compromise any effort or elements of the show for the fact that they were playing to a few cameras.
The production quality was crisp and clear, offering fans views from multiple angles and, as always, hair and wardrobe was on point, as many fans pointed out -in all caps- in the chat.
If you love angsty, scream-in-your-car-with-the-windows-open music, but also love a slower, groovier feel with lyrics that resonate and hit home, then Use Me is for you. Plus, if you’re not sure which song to listen to first, you could just choose by picking the one that corresponds to your astrological sign:
a song off of 'use me' for every horoscope sign. how did we do? pic.twitter.com/oHMC4hpraA
— PVRIS (@ThisIsPVRIS) April 13, 2021
Stream Use Me at the Spotify link below.
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