One hopes when attending a concert that the experience will exceed recorded performances. That can include a lot of factors – certainly the musicianship, but also the sound, lighting, the crowd’s enthusiasm, and that extra something that tells you that the band is really enjoying themselves. Alcest did all of that in Atlanta.
Known for their unique blend of atmospheric black metal and shoegaze, the French band shares an almost otherworldly atmosphere that captivates audiences, at first gently, then building to emotional heights. From the moment the band stepped on stage, a sense of anticipation filled the air. Neige, the band’s frontman and creative force, carried an understated yet magnetic presence. His ability to seamlessly transition between delicate, dreamlike vocals and occasional intense, anguished screams showcased the emotional depth of the music.
The setlist heavily featured five songs from their 2025 release, Les Chants de l’Aurore, “lighter” in tone than their previous work but also very positively received for its warmer and even uplifting nature. Elsewhere, while the band played selections from the past 15 years, fan favorites like “Autre Temps“ and “Oiseaux de Proie” were tremendous. The latter, in particular, stood out as a highlight of the night, its crushing crescendos and melancholic melodies washing over the audience in waves of sound. The band’s live execution preserved the ethereal beauty of their studio recordings while amplifying their raw
Alcest’s music thrives on contrasts—light and darkness, serenity and despair—and this dynamic was felt deeply in a live setting. The delicate, reverb-drenched guitars intertwined with pounding drums and driving bass lines, creating a hypnotic effect that had the crowd swaying, some with eyes closed, lost in the music.
By the end of the night, it was clear that Alcest’s music is meant to be experienced live. Their ability to balance ethereal beauty with visceral energy is something that few bands achieve so effortlessly. Whether a longtime fan or a newcomer to their sound, witnessing Alcest in concert is nothing short of mesmerizing.
Setlist:
MONO, a Japanese band formed in 1999, shares with Alcest a deep emotional intensity and atmospheric approach to their music, but MONO leans more into post-rock with ambient elements and crescendos. Like Alcest, they are touring on their own very strong 2024 release, OATH. While it can be said that they are an wonderfully suited as a complementary prelude for Alcest, it was more than just whetting the appetite. MONO needs to return to Atlanta as a headliner for certain.
Setlist:
Kælan Mikla, from Iceland, opened the evening, part goth and part post-punk, featuring a knack for bass-driven tunes with keyboards solidly in The CURE’s influence (Robert Smith is a fan). Singer Laufey Soffia, not surprisingly, sings in Icelandic, which gives the audience some latitude in how to interpret the music. She remains the focal point of the band, grooving mid-stage, her body and arms in almost constant motion, her gaze often on her hands as they point, curl or move, further begging questions as to the meaning of their songs.
