Magma at The Great American Music Hall on 3/18/2016
Last year Magma ended their concert with vocalist Stella Vander stating “See you next time”. Fans at the sold out concert at Slim’s in April of 2015 left thrilled at not just what they witnessed but also the idea that the band would return again to perform in city by the bay.
Christian Vander and Magma are on their second US tour in as many years
This year the band lived up to their promise with the Endless Tour returning to SF, this time at the Great American Music Hall in the Tenderloin. Magma returned this time performing a different set from last year’s show. The group started out with Theusz Hamtaak, a song originally written in 1972 is from the Theusz Hamtaak trilogy of albums which includes the 1973 release Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh , a song they also performed at last Friday’s concert. Vocalist Stella Vander said regarding Theusz Hamtaak that the crowd liked seventies music and this was good, because they had 70’s songs to perform to us.
Christian Vander’s Magma in the 70’s
The band also performed two other amazing extended jams to conclude the performance with Koïaba from their first album in 1970 s/t release and Zombies, a song from the 1976 record Üdü Ẁüdü. The intensity of being at a Magma concert is like no other show you’ll see. This is perhaps one reason the band sounds live now like they’re as much ahead of their time as they were when they recorded the songs from the set list.
Magma are the greatest band on earth.
The band has a new face in the band with guitarist James Mac Gaw sadly facing a health concern that prevented his touring with the band. The newest guitarist is working out for the band as yet another alumni to Magma is bringing the group closer their 5th decade as a band, something most artists might dream about. The music of the band reaches audiences of all generations. In fact the younger audience members seemed to know all of the songs and were into it and not missing a beat.
Magma have existed 47 years in music and are as ahead of their time today as they were then
Cellist Helen Money was the opening act on Friday. Jello Biafra, a San Francisco resident and original singer for the Dead Kennedys (as well as a solo artist) introduced the band. He spoke about the recording of the new film To Life, Death and Beyond that is being recorded in part during this tour by Laurent Goldstein. The band once again said they will see us next time and once again the audience I’m sure can’t wait.
Jello Biafra introduced Magma at Friday’s concert
SO glad Magma finally returned to the United States (and rest of the world) to claim their rightful place as one of the greatest progressive rock bands of all time! Merci, Christian et Stella!
Hey David, Glad you got tickets to their shows later in the year. They’re amazing. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to see them at their peak! Sort of like how BB King was really hitting his groove in his 60’s, I think the same can be said for Magma. Thanks for the comment and thanks for reading my blog!