Sep 22

Sep 22 Review: Panda Bear at The Orange Peel

There was no Animal Collective reunion at The Orange Peel on Sept. 16. Despite Deakin (Josh Dibb) opening the night and Asheville’s own Avey Tare (David Portner) in the crowd, the evening belonged to Panda Bear (Noah Lennox) — and that wasn’t just because Geologist (Brian Weitz) and his hurdy-gurdy supposedly weren’t in town.

If anything, the resistance to such full-band shenanigans was a sign of respect for the headliner’s Sinister Grift, which may very well wind up being the year’s top album come Best Of season. Joined by his own talented backing band of Rivka Ravede (electronics), Tomé Silva (drums), Maria Reis (keys), and Tim Koh (bass), Lennox (guitar/vocals) performed six of the 10-track LP’s catchier tracks, plus summer release “Virginia Tech” with enough panache that any contributions from his other group likely would have felt superfluous.

The full-band arrangement also proved a welcome departure from Lennox’s usual effective but limiting solo set-up of a Moog synthesizer and guitar. With each member of his ensemble contributing layered harmonies in addition to their intricate instrumentation, and stunning projections entertaining the eye, the latest Panda Bear stunners came alive with a fervor that will keep Sinister Grift in attendees’ regular rotation for years to come.

(Photos by Jonny Leather)