Since their 2012 debut Trouble With Machines, District 97 have been purveying a heady mix of catchy melodies and hardcore prog instrumentation, all topped off by the irresistible frontperson smarts of Leslie Hunt.
While superb, their current album In Vaults lacked that final level of production polish, but that problem disappears on this quality concert video. Recorded last April at Progdreams Festival, on the last night of the In Vaults tour, this captures the gig-hardened band on great form at the much-loved Dutch venue. Guitarist Jim Tashjian’s tones are bulked up, newbies Andrew Lawrence (keyboards) and Tim Seisser (bass) have bedded in well and founder Jonathan Schang’s Bruford-approved drumming is a sight to behold. As for Hunt, she remains one of modern prog’s consummate performers. With a glint in her eye, she engages with the crowd and truly performs the songs, grooving to odd rhythms with moves that’d spell painful doom for less supple joints. This is warts ‘n’ all, real-life gig stuff, words and notes are fluffed, a guitar busts. If you can be arsed to sign up to their premium web service, this is an excellent document of an undervalued band. Schang’s mom Pam awaits you at the merch table…
