REVIEW: Glixen at Mohawk Place (2/23/24)
Ending the leg of their tour opening for Softcult, Glixen played a memorable set at Mohawk Place for a packed house. Hailing from Phoenix, AZ, Glixen (Isleen, lead guitar and vocals; Estabon, rhythm guitar; Sonia, bass guitar; and Kiare, drums) proved to be a powerful and enduring shoegaze band worth a vibrant spotlight.
A stunning combination of elements akin to the vocalizations of Cocteau Twins, the dirge of Hum’s guitar stylings, and the heartbeat drums of La Dispute, Glixen provides a truly atmospheric dreamscape of perfectly synchronized noise. Their stunning command of reverb, feedback, and distortion, coupled with a seemingly effortless syncopation, proves evidence of their enduring friendship and comfort with one another. It’s clear they have developed their sound through years of fiddling and fumbling, to develop their unabashed talent.
With billowing smoke and blue hues displayed throughout their entire performance, the audience swayed, heads bowed and bobbing, for the entirety of the 45-minute, ethereal set. Though some problems arose through the setup and during their performance, none overshadowed the impact their music delivered.
Despite some unfortunate hiccups— the mic not being turned up until the final two songs and an amp blowing during setup, forcing the band to run the guitar through the PA—their performance was impeccable. Isleen composed herself with the air of an angel, smiling throughout, while Estabon played with his back to the audience as if they were all alone simply playing among one another. Sonia swayed, picturesque, strumming her bass, bow tied atop the neck of her instrument, and Kiare maintained the pulse between the four of them.
Immersive as their performance was, as time seemed to disappear into the blanket of splendiferous noise, it was in meeting the band that the night truly felt complete. Sonia, for her almost isolated and withdrawn presence on stage, was warm as sunshine. She informed me that she and Isleen had been friends for a decade now, which confirmed suspicions of how comfortable they all seemed playing with one another.
Isleen provided the best view of the band though, with her misty-eyed romance of the music pouring from her soul. She truly loves what she is doing and it is evident in the way she speaks of what she does. She was born to do exactly what she is doing.
If you wish to hear love personified in angelic guitars and breathy melodies, seek out Glixen on streaming services and consider seeing them live. They will be touring throughout the end of March, with at least five more shows planned. There is a gig at South by Southwest, and they are truly best experienced live.
