Worshipping at the Altar of The Church, Live at Ventura Music Hall
- Erin
- Oct 5, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 7, 2023
It is not often I find myself in places related to anything to do with a church, however this past Monday I had the great fortune of that changing. For those unfamiliar, The Church is an Australian rock-band that formed in 1980 that is still producing new music today. They are currently touring with shows all over the US. Performing a double-set, fans can enjoy songs of their earlier days up until their newest album- The Hypnogogue. Combining synth-heavy and guitar-driven melodies with spacey orchestral production, listeners are fully immersed in a psychedelic, hypnotic whirlwind of sound that truly does feel like a religious experience living up to the band's name.
The Hypnogogue is the bands first concept album following an artist looking for something called the Hypnogogue, a thing capable of retrieving music from dreams. With the album's transcendent, mythical sound, it appears like the band found their Hypnogogue in this album. The opening song, "Ascendence" sets the stage with rock-opera like gravitas feeling remnant of Pink Floyd vocal stylings while also combining more familiar modern alternative song structures. "Flickering Lights" creates a dreamlike soundscape with hypnotic repetition, whereas "Albert Ross" brings a lighter folk-inspired perspective. In one aspect this album reminded me of MGMT's album Little Dark Age as they both seemingly draw inspiration from sounds of the '70s and '80s but combine trippier synths, some vocal harmonies, and familiar alternative song tone and structures as well. Needless to say after listening to this album in preparation for the concert, I was more than excited to go.
Ventura Music Hall felt like the perfect for this performance as it was big enough to hold the large audience while still feeling intimate and having great acoustics. The staff was friendly and drinks were cheap, so what more does one even need? Naturally I stopped by the merchandise stand where I bought an old tour shirt left over from their 2007 Europe tour. This shirt has easily become my favorite band shirt to date, which says a lot as I buy one at each show/festival I attend. At first I was bummed as the seller said they did not have my size but he ran through his inventory to be sure, and was able to find one for me- already off to a great start. Well, actually I would be lying if I considered this the start as me and many other concert goers waited in line outside the venue prior to doors being opened. I chatted with some and quickly gathered that fans have been following The Church almost since the band's beginning.
"I have been a fan since well, gosh the 80s. I caught them on their '88 tour here in Ventura when they were touring for Starfish. If I am not mistaken I think it was the first show at the Ventura Theater where they switched over to having concerts." -. Daniel, a Ventura resident and life-long fan.
The Church's fanbase is extensive and committed. Many who were there had seen them multiple times in the past, some even at the same venue, like Rick an avid fan:
"This is my 24th show stretching back to the summer of '88. I think Steve is one of the most prolific songwriters ever because a lot of bands rest on their lorals and certainly The Church has an amazing catalogue to go back to, but they constantly release new material as well. Of course everyone freaked out when Marty left, including myself, but I actually thought the record following Marty's leave 'Further Deeper' and this record, 'Hypnogogue' are probably two of the strongest records in their catalogue."
Like Rick, many were concerned about The Church's future in Marty's absence as well as the departure of Peter Koppes. Powderfinger's Ian Huag took Marty's place with Ashley Naylor stepping into Koppes' role. Both clearly lived up to all expectations, though not a surprise given their well-established skill and the already immense talent of the original Church members.
Though many had seen them before, it was also some concert goers first time seeing The Church live, and boy was the excitement palpable.
"I am an English professor and a lot of my early exposure to The Church really inspired a lot of my creative writing and I have never seen them in person, it's a dream. As far as songs I want to hear tonight, I'm going to go wayback and say 'Fly,'" the lovely Sherry of Ventura shared with me. She was with a friend who was also seeing them for the first time making it an even more special experience. Luckily, "Fly" was included in the 26-song setlist. Leave it to The Church to meet everyone's expectations and hopes.
One thing I noticed though was the amount of younger people there despite it being an older band. Talking to some in their early-twenties, most had one thing in common: their parents introduced them to The Church. Similarly, there were young kids with their parents exemplifying how The Church is a band that transcends time and age with such a prolific sound that families want to share with their children for years to come. A song's meaning to a parent may become completely rewritten by experiencing it live with their offspring. Rick, who I spoke to earlier, was there with his son for their third time seeing them together. Rick joked that his son only does it to appease his old man but his son quickly cut him off:
"I enjoy seeing them, I enjoy the time with my father, and Steve and the rest of the guys put on a great show so I am looking forward to seeing what they have."
It can almost be argued that The Church's music is an heirloom being passed down from generation to generation. Seeing your favorite artist live is already such an incredibly surreal experience, and The Church provides a way for this be elevated and changed overtime through the bond of a parent and child.
For some, The Church has been a band to provide a soundtrack to their life as they have grown and evolved with them:
"I grew up in Virginia and went to college in North Carolina where I was turned on to the Church in 1987 with the Heyday record, which to this day is still my favorite one. Starfish is the first album I saw them on. Gold Afternoon Fix rode me out to college and then onto the next 21 records. I have seen them five times, three of those being in the past two years. My first show was in my home-state of Virginia in 1988. It's in the blood, it's in the heart."- Chris
In the heart and blood is a great way to describe The Church's music, and also explains why after so many years they have been able to maintain the fanbase that they do.
The sentiment didn't stop there. I spoke with Jim, a fan who was there right as doors opened and he explained that tonight had an even greater meaning for him:
"I just went to a celebration of life and everybody was talking about the '80s '90s music and these guys were and still are one of the best from that time."
Music connects people throughout their lives and even to those who are no longer physically with us. Given The Church's awe-inspiring performance that night, Jim's friend's life was most definitely celebrated to the fullest.
The Church opened with their newest album starter "Ascendence" before diving into their large repertoire of songs, concluding the first act with "Fly" from their 1983 album Seance before going into intermission. Though the music had stopped, the venue was still loud and alive with the chatter of excited fans talking about what they have heard and experienced so far. Though always a party, the women's bathroom was a gossip hall of how extraordinary the band is doing and of course debate over which member is the cutest. Upon intermissions end, fans crowded back into the venue re-assuming their spots. Ironically, they began the second act by playing "Last Melody," though it was by far not the last melody to be played that night. This artful blend of songs from multiple albums transported listeners across different eras in time but ultimately was grounded by the conclusion of "Second Bridge" as it is the final song on Hypnogogue. Of course, encore songs were played but I am of the belief that if you want to find out which ones they were, you have to see them live to do so. Luckily they're still on tour to go find out for yourself.
This is a band where I regret not having heard of them sooner and missing past tours that I didn't even know were a thing at the time. It is said music transcends time, and the Church encapsulates this in a way many other bands could only hope to do. Though being in the business for awhile, one can only pray (no pun intended) that The Church continues releasing albums for old and new fans alike to enjoy. All in all, this is my kind of church to be baptized in.
Stay up to date with upcoming services and sermons from The Church at the links below.
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