Swans - "Oxygen" - Pitchfork Music Festival 2013

Swans perform "Oxygen" at Pitchfork Music Festival 2013.

[@akshaybhatia8971]

Interesting thing is, despite how intense and intimidating Michael Gira’s music and onstage persona is, I met him after a Swans show and he was actually super nice, and humble, and surprisingly soft spoken. He wore a cowboy hat, signed my copy of White Light From The Mouth Of Infinity, and profusely thanked me for coming to the show and supporting his music

[@kidnamedfinger3315]

Akshay Bhatia I’m not surprised, I mean his music is more of a cathartic piece of art to display his feelings and emotions. That wouldn’t make him crazy personally

[@Missjunebugfreak]

That makes me happy. It's wonderful when people who make great music turn out to be lovely as well.

[@lukeberrie3942]

What a cutie 🥰

[@ficklefartrecordsco3451]

Nice

[@baddie4798]

He’s awesome! He also is incredibly passionate about reading and philosophy, as shown by his Instagram posts. He’s one of the coolest people ever

[@jacksonmorris8963]

had a dream that michael gira tried to kill me and then was mad that I ran away because it ruined the art he was trying to create

[@ItsOttis]

you feel that you are someone elses afterthought who is important to you, they walk all over you but you offer yourself regardless

[@YodaZemunski]

Holy shit what is this

[@xiutxui1689]

thats sad

[@kirbyy84]

u monster

[@nimusworks5475]

oh shit...

[@alexkent2785]

Michael Gira vs. Thom Yorke dance off

[@garruksson]

I'd rather see that than a cleganebowl

[@alfredobalderas6210]

Thom Yorke vs Michael Gira vs Ian Curtis.

[@misterdubsteppa]

Well Thom Yorke is most of the time more chilling than this :D more Trance

[@alexkent2785]

+misterdubsteppa Man, I wish Radiohead, Swans, and Godspeed You! Black Emperor all did like a record together.

[@Sighbot]

Alex Kent We don't deserve that.

[@jprenderg]

seeing swans perform during the day is weird. i feel like they only be allowed to play in dark...slightly heated...misty rooms.

[@loganwendt778]

For real! Same with Death Grips too. Only dark, closed in areas.

[@nefyt278]

@@loganwendt778 yeah

[@Chameleonardodavinci]

@@loganwendt778 Yeah saw DG at a small venue in glasgow and it was perfect and claustrophobic, came out drenched in sweat and dazed

[@ktk44man]

That's exactly what I was thinking... This venue is great but as a drunk person at 12 in the morning it's simply too bright..

[@zypherus4567]

​@@loganwendt778I didn't expect for a Death Grips fan to appear here in the comment section, W

[@jordangreer152]

I was there. Something that the video fails to capture is just how ungodly loud this was. I was in the way back and my body had been violently shaken. Pretty amazing.

[@terrycrews6179]

First concert? lol

[@Oweng40000]

Terry Crews swans are unbelievably loud live. When I went to see them my friend brought me earplugs and I was like “I won’t need those.” Halfway through the first song I was begging him for them

[@434emm]

@@terrycrews6179 haven't you heard about how loud were the concerts from Swans back in their no-wave era? Search about it

[@richardroberson2564]

@@terrycrews6179 The police had to stop their concerts in the old days because they where to loud.

[@d_walsh]

@@Oweng40000 lol

[@cutsperson]

never in my life have i seen someone play a lap steel so aggressively

[@Jacksmusicshack]

Welcome to swans they do things just a little diffrent!

[@mattmacneil3424]

man that bass player must have wrists of steel

[@jacobford5]

Matt M He looks like he’s in such pain not even halfway through. this song is carpal tunnel city.

[@youknowhuwitis]

Watch a vid of them playing The Glowing Man he looks like he’s in agony by the near end point but he keeps it up like the bloody terminator.

[@lifeisntagodardfilm]

Passion is enough xdn't

[@Faazz01]

Witch one? 4:36

[@musicalman1995]

Yeah I used to think the bending he does with his knees what unnecessarily theatrical but it’s probably just a very hard riff to play

[@Contrariwise37]

I want to be as cool as Michael Gira when I'm 60

[@Contrariwise37]

L390H36D be 60?

[@Jacksmusicshack]

No one can out Gira Michael

[@bobsondugnutt5688]

Good fuckin luck lol. I hope you're an amazing artist 😅

[@bluechalk6275]

Everyone in the band looks like a Die Hard villain.

[@chrisgee188]

underrated comment

[@kazuhir0078]

underrated comment

[@therealpotpol4027]

So german

[@eyehatenirvana4830]

yes they are

[@baileygraeber7008]

Gold comment 👌 😅

[@kaimonington]

Thom Yorke could learn a few dance moves off this guy

[@Tordah90]

Fuck Thom Yorke. This is a whole other liga!

[@spinkicker27]

Tordah90 But, both are great!

[@franciscodardel3680]

Tordah90 Nonono.. you're so wrong.. they're both awesome

[@SirGamerismify]

+Kai Hammond Someone should record both of them drunk at a party dancing together

[@finality42069]

Tordah90 Go back to bands that are not underground, you pleb monster.

[@riiniim]

Everyone in Swans looks like they've seen some shit in their life.

[@kjy9505]

rofl

[@trufe4]

What is that supposed to be a cooler way of saying "old". How does someone look like they've seen something? Usually this conclusion is drawn after conversating with someone.

[@jamesgoodman5102]

+trufe4 he means they look grizzled and wizened, mate

[@seanspoletini3689]

for example: Gira has seen rape!

[@atarirob]

Daaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmnnnn.

[@6Mega6Man6]

These guys have this "I've seen it all, done it all" look on their faces. Awesome track

[@TheGlizzler]

I see it all, I see it all

[@quoe1]

by far the loudest show I've ever been to was swans. people who didn't have earplugs were fleeing the venue

[@el_mal_de_ojo]

I had earplugs at the Roundhouse here in London 5 years ago but I took them out for a lot of the insanely loud set. Risking permanent tinnitus seemed like a good idea at the time.

[@idecanymoretbh]

@@el_mal_de_ojo I'd risk my head exploding to see Swans live

[@letsfail1]

Man, he got some sick moves.

[@sambennie5160]

+letsfail1 oh shit

[@MetalDaetlaev]

Du hier? Nicer Musikgeschmack. :D

[@Jacksmusicshack]

Swatting flies is the newest craze. Everyone's doing it. I'm all for it and FLEX YOUR MUSCLES!!

[@Skatetagee]

whos the guy swatting flys and yelling

[@cosmostupid123]

lol

[@DonTonRiccio]

Avey Mangum, lead singer from The Neutral Milk Radioheads

[@Sighbot]

Mikey Geronimo

[@GustavoSusFring]

Chris Barnes of Swan Corpse

[@Creaturefiendyo]

Names mike

[@alexnewman5338]

I remember seeing this couple, who were obviously big fans, almost tear up a bit, kiss and then hold each other in the front row, and they just seemed to be so fucking happy to see Swans. It was awesome. And then the show started. And it was an exploding star of gnarly upon my stoned-ass face. The Breeders kinda made sense afterwards but not really.

[@nadsatmusic4967]

It is kinda scary how good this is.

[@bobsbigboy_]

its unphatomable how good this is

[@estebanb7166]

How so? Hyper repetitive and simple. The lyrics are absolute doggerel.

[@liamarmstrong2527]

@@estebanb7166 once it clicks it is life changing

[@beasty6881]

@@liamarmstrong2527 Ikr, at first I HATED this, but now it's absolutely incredible. If you listen to it enough and give it the attention it deserves, it just eventually clicks and everything about it all of a sudden makes sense

[@el_mal_de_ojo]

@@estebanb7166 you thinking this is simple shows how little you know about whats happening on that stage.

[@nathanburnett9529]

Pitchfork didn’t put to be kind in their top 200 albums of the decade in case you were wondering

[@brazilbr4415]

Pitchfork is garbage

[@Geoooooooooo]

Reject pitchfork, return to melon

[@madvillain285]

@@Geoooooooooo reject both, return to personal opinion lmao

[@johndeereoli]

Oh no..

[@HARTYNMUGHES]

@@johndeereoli oh no

[@jamesbrousseau2736]

Most amazing live performance I've ever witnessed! "I steal all the oxygen" Fk yeah

[@ibrahimafify1656]

James Brousseau watch the just a little boy performance

[@gasmaskboi19371945]

They are apparently the loudest live band.

[@TheDomanation13]

Plus My Bloody Valentine, Sun O))), etc.

[@heimatlose]

When I saw them, I was wearing earplugs, and I still felt like I was standing inside a jet engine.

[@MenteColectiva]

or any Death Metal band.

[@JasonPizzolato]

Indeed, they are, & I can personally attest to this, having been to roughly 1,000 shows in my time. They make death metal bands sound like a little mouse squeaking in comparison. 'Great Annihilator', 'Soundtracks For The Blind', & 'To Be Kind' tours were the ones I witnessed & they were all off the bone, but the best of all was 'To Be Kind', four years ago. I haven't been to a concert since. Everyone else pales in comparison to the might of SWANS. Hell, in the mid '80s, during their infamous 'Cop / Young God' era, most of the crowd would often flee the venue due to the immense volume, leaving only a few attendees behind. I talked to a guy who saw them in Berlin during that era & he said that chunks of the ceiling fell into his hair. The building's structural integrity had been compromised...

[@myadyth7048]

people are saying more rock bands what about any harsh noise artists with enough money to afford speakers, like merzbow or the haters

[@ST-kr7hz]

the bassist is just so good. blew me away live

[@TheDomanation13]

These guys seem interesting, but they have so much matierial that it seems daunting to tackle their music right now. Perhaps during my long summer break, I can spend a whole week listening to Swans.

[@redshift912]

Same exact thing happened to me with zappa

[@trombon2006]

I agree with Jesusisthetreeoflife. I'd start with Great annihilator (one of my favorites from them) and maybe My father will guide me up a rope to the sky. Work your way back and forward from those.

[@hendrixfan143]

Just listen to filth for the rest of your life

[@clanderdrums]

It'll probably take longer than a week if you really want it all to sink in. Honestly though, you haven't really experienced the essence of Swans until you've seen them live. It's a truly awesome experience. One of the best shows I've ever seen, yet you don't really do anything much other than stand and watch.

[@TTIOTT]

Definitely listen to their newest release 'To Be Kind', and 'The Seer', and then go from there with the rest of their material. It may be daunting, but like listening to all good music, its always worth it.

[@Joey29455]

Haha, look at Christoph at 1:44. Standing like he's waiting in line at the grocery store.

[@dclarkmusic]

I get it. I can’t figure out if I like it yet, but I see what’s going on here. The repetition starts to sink into your bones after awhile.

[@huntergrove8736]

The repetition is what I love most about their music

[@nikitamcconnell8027]

@@huntergrove8736their songs kinda evolve by repetitions - it’s like an idea slowly comes to life and fully develops.

[@jacksonfritts2988]

This is a powerful performance. That bassline is so satisfying.

[@Fireguy65]

The first Swans song I’ve ever heard. I felt violated in a strange way but enjoyed it. Very good

[@hidden7249]

oh just wait til you hear their early albums

[@MrJackTrades]

I hope I love music as Michael Gira does when I'm his age. Also that's one of the most original bass lines I've ever heard

[@JulieWith]

Pray for Michael Gira's eardrums

[@musicalman1995]

Won’t be that loud for him.

[@MonsieurMaskedMan]

He had tinnitus i believe, that is why he like to crank all the amps to max

[@jmpsthrufyre]

@@MonsieurMaskedMan Had? If there's a way to get rid of this constant high pitched God dam ringing, I am, ahem, All Ears

[@MonsieurMaskedMan]

@@jmpsthrufyre wait i was mistaken he still actually have tinnitus i was making a spelling mistake there, yeah in an interview that i can't remember which one Michael Gira said he has tinnitus so that's why he likes to play in a loud environment even though he knew it would eventually make him deaf he loves the sonic explossion and standing in the center of it felt like a tsunami

[@em_y1229]

She moves with a purpose

[@willoverdoseonmusic]

deserves top comment

[@canceronastick8388]

Coming back to this after a while, it’s incredible how in sync the band is. Around 6:20 , Gira even flails his head to the beat of the three crash cymbals. Amazing music

[@sleeterman]

Gira's dancing and the drums in the intro reminds me of that scene from king of the hill where bobby is slapping his stomach with spatulas and the guy dances to it

[@brandonavery133]

Joe Jack!

[@thepixelrantsshow662]

Swans are one of the best bands ever, and they put on a life changing live show, but in my opinion they are not a good festival band, seeing this band play outside is weird and awkward. It's much better to see them in an indoor venue.

[@charmicarmicat2981]

The PIXELrants Show! MG talks about that in some interviews. He doesn’t like playing outside because the sound isn’t as intense as he would like. It kind of just dissipates into the air

[@regularnimnule9715]

Totally agree. Can't imagine seeing them at a festival. No way they can generate the volume outside.

[@synthmalicious7541]

Spud O'Doom Someone else in the comments said even at the back of this live show they were pretty loud.

[@synthmalicious7541]

I like seeing them like this though, it gives more of a view into what the audience is doing

[@mathieur7915]

This disproves my theory that Swans would catch fire when exposed to sunlight.

[@julianholland4009]

Drummer is insane!

[@niveknomad2008]

Ian Curtis lives on in spirit through Michael Gira's dance moves.

[@squashman2089]

Glad to see another JD fan in a swans comment section

[@paperfoe]

@@squashman2089 you fr

[@lulw1935]

Because Curtis was epileptic?

[@archol6596]

​@@lulw1935because he danced like this on stage

[@lulw1935]

@@archol6596 think thats called epily attack

[@jowy7559]

as far as i’m concerned, being michael gira is the coolest thing you can do in your60s

[@denno445]

4:28 lmao everyone thinkin that was the end and then gettin right back into the violence

[@eddiem4268]

Talking Heads in Nightmare Mode

[@SynapseCyberpunk]

Oh god THAT GROOVE !

[@anesssssssssssssssssssssssssss]

Legends say he's still dancing

[@jacobtapianieto9655]

... and stealing all the OXYGEEEEEEEENNNNN!!

[@HumansFreshlyBorn]

The most mosquito-heavy concert of all time

[@younghappy]

That's funny; I just saw Michael's recent post on facebook and among other things he says: "tho i've never danced in my life and hate dance music"

[@noesunyoutuber7680]

I mean, what he's doing right here transcends all forms of what humanity knows to be dancing.

[@metalrockfanatic]

I dont know what I would do at a swans show. stand there and look uninterested or headbang/headbob and have gira hate me.

[@trombon2006]

Pretty much everyone around me (including myself) had their heads bobbing and were obviously into it when I saw them (and this was all within 5 feet of the stage) and he didn't seem to care at all. He was annoyed when he spotted someone typing on their phone, but no one in the band seemed to think negatively of the crowd really being into it. It's not the 80s anymore, so just go and enjoy the show if they come near you.

[@metalmikow]

Not too familiar with this band. Does Gira have a problem with moshing? I get that a lot of Swans songs aren't really moshy but this song seems like a crowd mover.

[@trombon2006]

No one was moshing when I saw them, and I haven't seen anyone doing that in any of the live videos that I've seen. Other than a few guys that were straight up headbanging to a few songs, the only movement from the crowd was just bobbing their heads/upper bodies to the music.

[@MenteColectiva]

I would laugh my ass off.

[@trombon2006]

Yeah, it would be hilarious if someone showed up to one of their gigs and did that.

[@andxmenx]

I'm counting out time to see them ... legends.

[@yellowkangdexasthur4904]

All those numbers..

[@jamesbrousseau2159]

STILL the most incredible live performance I've ever heard on KZbin

[@Jack-dk7uu]

Gods

[@rodrigofuentes5424]

Jim Bob not-so-Young Gods

[@alexcavanaugh1829]

they remind me so much of a hard version of king crimson

[@a.j8307]

Agreed.

[@pepeblai]

Maybe this is why I love their music.

[@pukchen1615]

+Alex Cavanaugh Exactly.

[@corrupted5831]

+Alex Cavanaugh You have clearly not heard late works of KC, otherwise you would have known that KC are the heaviest band in the world. But swans are damn heavy as well yeah.

[@sakedog32]

You need to hear more King Crimson.

[@MarquisdeSuave]

Wouldnt it be cool if like your kid's elementary school art teacher told you during open house that he is in a band and he invited you and your significant other to come to a show he was playing and you really didnt know what to make of it because he is such a gentle soul and you picture his band playing songs for children but you go anyway and then the teacher goes on with this band and he's the lead singer and this is the first song they bust out as the opener. Id like to think that happens every time Ive heard this song live.

[@willoverdoseonmusic]

That would be the best thing that’s ever happened to me, no joke

[@taunaengus4978]

Strength----that's what these musicians have. Awesome --so awesome live. I have to admit better at about 1 AM.

[@ericmsandoval]

yes yes YES. Those drums sound so crisp!

[@ConnorTheDJ24]

I wish I was at the concert to see this masterpiece in person! 😎

[@nickfromCO]

"Animal" from The Muppets on the secondary drums.

[@gomerhanger2285]

Crazy this was only 10 yrs ago.

[@meggidoo]

They're beyond greatness, everytime i listen their tunes my mind goes to an untamed place in my brain.

[@chathamsnob1]

absolutely love the melody.

[@Azzamanify]

This is my favourite recording of this song. Amazing version and thank god the quality on this video is incredible.

[@Burningchromosome]

" this is the best, clear pro footage I have seen of this band. finally did them justice "

[@TeggDougland]

Best live band. Seen them twice both times were equally as moving.

[@tomperri3693]

I've heard these guys play so fucking loud that people literally get sick and vomit

[@wethole]

That rumour is pretty much untrue, though they do play really loud

[@edielostcontrol]

they play really loud and people pass out at gigs but i haven't seen any vomiting

[@Paperbagman555]

Neonman78 Said rumour might be true. Maybe I had some bad fast food earlier, but at their most recent Sydney concert I found myself running to the bathroom to vomit at two separate moments of the set. They were still amazing, first time ever seeing them, but perhaps the rumour is true

[@burtfiasco]

I could definitely see someone being too fucked up at one of their shows and having an anxiety attack and then the pulsing rhythm of the song would turn against them and eventually the whole situation would become too overwhelming and the pain would manifest psychosomatically as nausea, leading to dry heaves and vomiting. However, this is just an engram and can be audited away at your nearest Scientology center. Xenu, praise unto thee the suppressive for he not knoweth what Tom Cruise knoweth.

[@peepnox7747]

Love this band

[@eliasmsv3156]

1:36 Me when theres a fly in my face

[@williamscerbo458]

truly, truly great

[@user-fp4cu4rl6q]

Perfect music I heard. I'm shocked!

[@pringlesmegastack8575]

they acted exactly how i thought they would on stage before i saw a video of them live lmao

[@limajlima]

Haven't been listening to Swans for very long and had never seen any live footage of them, but they look exactly like how I imagined they would look.... grim.

[@jpfizzle1]

0:57 “LOUDER”

[@jamesray6146]

Thanks

[@oadolfss]

amazing ... brilliant

[@front_anatheme]

Peak music right there.

[@SuperEvilMonkey1]

When that lap steel comes in things get nightmarish, I love it

[@The_Beautifully_insane]

Imagine just going to this performance not know the song nor the band at all. And then it be hit with this, must have caught them off a little as well with the mid pause too.

[@fluide000]

One day i'll upload the time i was at a Swans gig in Nantes, France, few years ago, filming with my phone bits of that huge, heavy, historical performance (for me, whereas the band has 4 decades of existence, it's just the best one to see on stage, nowadays) . And suddenly, while Mr Gira was high on singing, he just stopped, moved on the stage quite in my direction and started to yell and made moves with his arms...Until i realized it was destined to myself : i didn't get my camera flash phone was ON and i guessed (cause i didn't hear a word he said) it disturbed him... I wasn't only really, really ashamed but also, can you imagine how frightening can be Michael Gira being ANGRY AND GLARING AT YOU in the front of an entire crowd ?? From the king of darkness, it is almost an honor i got the GIRA BIG DARK EYES 😶 God i had tu upload this

[@vicomtedevalmont1073]

well... where is it chief?

[@el_mal_de_ojo]

Where's the upload dude

[@ironspiderlink3652]

still nothing dude what on earth

[@fluide000]

@@ironspiderlink3652 Sorry i totally forgot... Here it is !!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5LGgISOg6qBa8k

[@fluide000]

@@vicomtedevalmont1073 Sorry i totally forgot... Here it is !!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5LGgISOg6qBa8k

[@MrJibsIV]

Awesome.

[@zeeeeroin9981]

Seen them 3 times.....huge....

[@Balfour.]

Never expected to see Swans playing in a festival.

[@Olallie]

the way he looks into the camera four minutes in make s me tremble in my tiny little boots

[@jimmyjazz95]

Loving this. Reminds me a lot of NoMeansNo.

[@zeroinfinit]

Old rockers rock harder.

[@paolovallejo8022]

Ricardo Morgado Not Rock Music

[@thatsalotofdamage8568]

@@paolovallejo8022 definitely rock music

[@paolovallejo8022]

@@thatsalotofdamage8568 then you utterly missed the point haha, I'm sure Gira would totally agree 😉

[@thatsalotofdamage8568]

@@paolovallejo8022 not traditional rock

[@thatsalotofdamage8568]

it experimental rock

[@robycorgan3305]

swans always best band ever

[@GoatgutsRecords]

Bless you and your dancing Gira

[@lyricardiac]

I wish I could dance like him

[@Nezopu]

I'LL STEAL ALL THE OXYGEN!

[@buried4430]

IIIIMMMMM NOOOOOT SCAAAAREEED.

[@Jacksmusicshack]

Ayyyyyoyayayayayayayo

[@McSchmitler]

Excellent

[@garyboldwater9066]

"Louder, Louder!"

[@yaboyegreja7750]

HAPPY 10 YEARS "TO BE KIND" 🎉🎉🎉

[@Thisisspacemusic]

kinda reminds me of David Yow the way he sings at times, love Swans and Jesus Lizard!

[@jordonjefferies8196]

yo! big fan of your work dude!

[@georgewaller7080]

For some reason, while listening to the albums, I always pictured them playing in dingy underground rooms.

[@finnameme8108]

Look at earlier shows like the early 80s

[@appl3stars]

Michael Gira dances like someone who doesn't know what dancing is but has had dancing thoroughly explained to him.

[@sonicmaha2618]

they dress like bosses back from meeting straight to a gig! Love swans soo much!

[@basedcostanza5145]

I just realized Michael Gira dances like Thom Yorke

[@peterjanoshazi7519]

+Carter Rolen Iam afraid its other way around

[@adamboof6769]

Based Costanza two of the greatest musicians ever lol. Makes sense.

[@GustavoRM2380]

Thom Yorke dances like Michael Gira*

[@chrisbose]

yeah, he's been around since thom was figuring out his first chords. win for Michael Gira!

[@chuckboris9199]

hugh lory is such a great drummer

[@falloutMAN84]

I wish they had an album comprising of material with this exact style.

[@GarciansVortex]

its called to be kind

[@lineseeking]

So good. NXNE in Toronto!

[@danescalise]

so bummed i couldn't make it up. sounds amazing.

[@therubixtesseract]

Love Gira. What a great dancer.

[@Thisisspacemusic]

awesome

[@alvarop1984]

Dr. House on drums?

[@conraddean6510]

This is increadible

[@GorelovDenis]

Очень круто!