The Books’ Nick Zammuto and Paul de Jong warmed a cold and rainy night on Monday (April 16), bringing their experimental post-rock to life beneath the looming spires of Philadelphia’s First Unitarian Church. A packed house of aged indie rockers and art rock twenty-somethings collected on the floor for an electrifying set of echoing waves of sound and solo violin courtesy of Todd Reynolds. Once the Books hit the stage, the crowd swelled as the group culled songs from each of their three studio albums while also debuting a handful of new tunes (All A’s,” “8 Frame”). With their signature intricate display of acoustic guitar and cello firmly in place, the Books’ performed in front of a video projection screen, which streamed distorted, layered images from everyday life. Such visual effect was a perfect match for the band’s haunting rendition of Nick Drake’s “Cello Song.” ERIC RIVERA / PHOTOS BY JAMES HAMILTON
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