Have you ever tried to make a triangle on your computer (∆), maybe for a chemistry assignment, or some other project? Whatever the case, you would know that in order to make it you must press the keys “alt” and “j.” Alt-J is not just a way to make a triangle on your computer, but an incredible English alternative band created in 2007. This band, as you probably guessed by now, got its name from the triangle on macs, as quoted in its songs that “triangles are my favorite shape.” They released a new album in September, This is all yours, after an extremely successful debut, An Awesome Wave. Alt-J had a beyond incredible concert recently at the Tower Theatre in Upper Darby on Friday November 14^th.

At around 8:00, enormous crowds surged through the open doors of Tower Theatre. By 9:00, when the opening act started, the place was jam-packed with a sold out show. The opener had great vocals and took some warming up to, but then was really impressive. During the set change, the crowd had to wait anxiously as sound crew set up (which seemed like forever) for Alt-J. Immense red clouds of smoke enveloped the stage and audience, and suddenly the lights went out. All that was heard was the faint but increasing beat of one of Alt-J’s more famous songs, “Hunger of the Pine,” for several minutes, then the outlines of the band members could be seen and the volume increased. The lead singer started singing and suddenly, when the chorus kicked in, as if in an explosion, the red clouds left, and a blinding white light blasted through the air as the band members became visible. It was the beginning of an epic concert.

The concert consisted of a mix of old and new albums, playing the most popular songs first for those who were just there because they heard them on the radio, such as the songs, “Hunger of the Pine,” “Left Hand Free,” and “Every other Freckle,” and then after an hour the real diehard fans could listen to their favorites such as “Tessalate,” “Fitzpleasure,” and “Breezeblocks.” Every song had a different unique color scheme that went with it on stage (the lights) which provided all sorts of moods. No matter what the song, the stage was extremely compelling so it was impossible to turn your eyes away. Strobe lights flashed at certain points, and symbols and colors covered the stage. It not only was amazing to the ear, but also to your eyes visually.

Alt-J has such a unique sound that it is possible not everyone will love them at first, but after listening to a few songs, you get hooked. At first I disliked their sound, but once I listened to a mix of their songs, I fell in love with their music. Some people may argue that since the band members didn’t dance or interact much with the audience during the concert (besides talking with them between songs), they weren’t good performers. I would argue they packed so much talent, compelling passion and incredible lights, that nothing more needed to be added to the concert. There was so much to look at and to hear and love that anything more would have taken away from the performances. For those who simply listen to them occasionally, or listen to every song, once you see them in concert you can never get their tunes out of your mind. It was something that can never be forgotten, and for those who have never heard of them, they are worth taking a look at as they are changing the scope of today’s alternative music.