The Church thrills with marathon length performance in Chandler, Arizona

Who: The Church

Where: Wild Horse Pass Showroom in Chandler, AZ

When: Friday, Oct. 6 2023

Next: Waiting Room Lounge in Omaha, NE, Oct. 9; The Magic Bag in Ferndale, MI, Oct. 11 

Information: thechurchband.net

Review and photos by Robert Kinsler

Steve Kilbey at Wild Horse Pass
Showroom in Chandler, AZ.

One of the more groundbreaking and original modern rock ensembles to ever emerge from Australia, The Church has created a sound and extensive discography that is as impressive as it is timeless. Under the continuing leadership of founding member Steve Kilbey (lead vocals, bass guitar) since 1980, the band is currently on a North American tour in support of their 26th and most recent masterwork, 2023's The Hypnogogue as well as an impressive 15-track disc titled Eros Zeta and the Perfumed Guitars that is only available to concertgoers who pick it up at the merchandise table at the troupe's shows (you can read this writer's review of the Deluxe edition of The Hypnogogue HERE).

On Friday night (Oct. 6), the Church performed a 26-song set at the beautiful Wild Horse Pass Showroom in Chandler, AZ that centered on the superb recent material from the quintet, while also revisiting the band's beloved early material. 

From left, Ashley Naylor and Steve Kilbey.

What was clear whether the Church was performing newer originals (indeed, the band opened with the reflective "Ascendence," the opening track on The Hypnogogue) or classics from the band's 1988 masterwork Starfish was that it's impossible to think of another band that creates an immersive soundscape like the Sydney-spawned outfit. At the Chandler concert, the Church combined sumptuous psychedelia-laced pop that fused layers of bewitching layers of guitars and sparse keyboards with hypnotic rhythms and undeniable melodies that wash over the listener with the power associated with more hard rocking bands. And Kilbey's deep baritone vocals remain a wonderfully distinctive fit with that winning sonic tapestry.

Lead guitarist Ian Haug.

Among the early standouts in the set was "Destination" with luxurious multiple vocals a centerpiece of a particularly effective and nuanced arrangement adding power to the track's unsettling and probing lyrics. The buoyant follow-up "Metropolis" with its infectious chorus and memorable guitar lines, and a dynamic "Columbus" bolstered by waves of guitar textures provided by Ian Haug, Jeffrey Cain and Ashley Naylor were equally forceful. The swirling rhythm-minded "Kings" (featuring the drumming of Nicholas Meredith), melodic "The Unguarded Moment" (the latter was the band's first radio hit, off the Church's 1981 debut album Of Skins and Heart) and a mini-set of acoustic tracks ("Old Coast Road," "Albert Ross" and "Fly") were all showcased in set 1 of the night.

Steve Kilbey enjoying the moment.

Set 2 found the Church continuing to play with artistic might, including on the gorgeous "Realm of Minor Angels" (enhanced by Haug's mandolin work), swirling art rocker "C'est La Vie," a haunting take on "Under the Milky Way," ethereal rocker "Grind" (the latter showcasing Haug's top-tier lead guitar work), opulent "I Think I Knew" and literate psychedelic foray "Second Bridge."
For the band's welcome encore, the Church performed the mesmerizing extended version of "Reptile" and a fiery jam-filled "You Took."

From left, Ashley Naylor, Steve Kilbey and Jeffrey
Cain at Wild Horse Pass Showroom. 

The Church continues its North American Tour with dates scheduled through early November 2023. Visit the band's official website HERE for upcoming concert dates.