DIIV takes fans on a transformative journey with rising artists, They Are Gutting a Body of Water and untitled (halo).
Brooklyn-based indie rock stars, DIIV, performed a night full of heavy riffs and distorted sounds in support of their new album Frog In Boiling Water, released via Fantasy Records, on a rainy evening in Houston, Texas. The show kicked off with untitled (halo), a Los Angeles-based band that delivered a hazy set featuring songs like “el prado freestyle.” The slowed-down vocals, drum loops and laid-back demeanor offered fans a unique experience. Inspirations from Mazzy Star were evident throughout the night, and the hollow vocals provided a distinctive opener for DIIV fans.
Next up were Philadelphia heavy hitters, They Are Gutting a Body of Water. They started their set with a drum machine making an air horn sound that slowly distorted into their opening track “63 skies.” Their performance was full of heavy guitars, rumbling bass and hard-hitting drums, catering to shoegaze fans who enjoy an alternative set full of heavy bangers. Throughout the transitions, drum and bass/jungle beats played, keeping the audience on their feet with unique sounds prior to each song.
As the clock struck 10:00 PM, the lights in the room went off. The video screen displayed the band’s logo followed by clouds. A man in a collared white shirt began to speak, introducing the audience. The AI-generated video set the tone for the night by stating, “Tonight is not just a concert; it’s a transformative journey.” The man then welcomed DIIV to the stage, and the band members started to make their way forward. The crowd roared, and the room was filled with cheers. The lights suddenly turned red as they began the night with their opening track from Frog In Boiling Water, “In Amber.” Zachary Cole Smith sang, “I can’t look away / in anger.” The song was filled with heavy riffs and distortion, immersing the audience in shoegaze that pushed boundaries.
DIIV played eight tracks from Frog In Boiling Water. Each track was accompanied by a video screen displaying the lyrics. There were many moments throughout the night featuring eerie videos, AI-generated pictures of distorted faces of the band members, and glimpses of the chaotic future we’re headed towards. The haunting shoegaze track “Soul-Net” hit the audience with a heavily layered wall of sound, accompanied by a video of the band’s website, Soul-Net.co. The track was moody and bleak, providing a sense of doom with the uncanny vibes of the website, but also offering a way to break free from the chains society has placed on us.
During the track “Blankenship,” a mini mosh pit erupted during the breakdown, with fans pushing, laughing and jumping up and down. The room was full of headbanging, and a fan even crowd-surfed, which isn’t common at a shoegaze show. DIIV truly gave Houston fans a transformative experience, continuing to push boundaries and provide a sense of optimism despite the uncanny vibes.
I am a Houston-based photographer who has been attending concerts since MP3 players were a thing. I graduated from the University of Houston in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in advertising. In my free time, you can find me headbanging at hardcore/rock shows, collecting movies, and training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu!
