The Beta Band
Live al Rainbow - Milano 23/05/04

THE REVIEW

An intimate evening this one.
I am truly disappointed by the poor turnout for one of the most interesting bands out there.

The Beta Band seem to be the first victims of the cold reception they received in Italy and appear to need some time to warm up and show what they are capable of. However, the songs are all there from the beginning and are the real highlight of the evening.
The tracks from the new album “Heroes to Zeros,” played almost entirely, work wonderfully and seem even stranger and more intriguing than on the record. There’s not much to do: despite all their efforts to seem normal, they are always weirdos! And thankfully so! The tracks from Hot Shots are a hit, and even those legendary ones from the early EPs are excellent live.

At times the concert is captivating, while at other moments a disorienting sixties-style psychedelia prevails, very Syd Barrett.
The pop vein stitches it all together.

It was a concert not without flaws. The Beta Band didn't seem like cold professionals; perfection is not their strong suit. However, it’s a group that seems to turn its flaws into virtues: the somewhat rough aspect of their approach becomes freshness, spontaneity, intimacy, and in the end, if the message that needs to be conveyed is that the Beta Band and this evening are, after all, a bit special, then yes, I received that message.

And bands like this should be supported.