Photos: Glass Animals Bring Cosmic Vibes and Dreamy Beats to Austin’s Moody Center

BY TER STAFF

Glass Animals
Glass Animals performing at the Moody Center on Sunday, September 22, 2024 (Photo by Camryn Hutchens/The Early Registration).

Glass Animals’ Tour of Earth landed in Austin last night, and it was as if the Moody Center had been transformed into a cosmic voyage through space, soundtracked by the band’s signature indie-electronic vibes. The UK-based quartet took the audience on an interstellar journey with a space-themed production, complete with futuristic visuals that made you feel like you were floating somewhere between Mars and “Space Ghost Coast to Coast” (a setlist highlight).

For those not familiar with Glass Animals, they’re known for their dreamy, genre-bending sound. Fronted by Dave Bayley, the group has been steadily rising in the indie scene since their 2014 debut ZABA. But their breakout hit, Heat Waves, from the 2020 album Dreamland, was the moment they really broke orbit, topping charts worldwide and cementing them as festival headliners. Last night’s performance of Heat Waves felt like the emotional zenith of the show, with the crowd lighting up the arena like stars in the night sky.

The setlist was a balanced mix of their old and new work, kicking off with Life Itself and moving through favorites like Gooey and Pork Soda. A personal favorite was the track Your Love (Déjà Vu), which had the crowd vibing along, possibly experiencing a bit of musical déjà vu themselves. The band also dove into newer material, with songs like A Tear in Space (Airlock) and Lost in the Ocean, which were well-received by the Austin crowd.

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The cosmic theme was brought to life not just by the music but through the stunning visuals that accompanied each song. Neon lights, swirling galaxies, and even space creatures (yes, really) filled the massive screens, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that made you feel like you’d been beamed up from Earth. It was a visual feast that enhanced the already hypnotic beats.

Of course, no Glass Animals show is complete without a sense of playfulness, and last night was no different. Bayley’s infectious energy had the crowd in the palm of his hand, especially during Tokyo Drifting and Take a Slice. The whimsical energy was dialed up to 11 during Pork Soda, with its unforgettable “pineapples are in my head” refrain echoing throughout the venue, leaving everyone with a smile.

All in all, Glass Animals delivered an out-of-this-world performance that had Austin floating on a cloud of synths and euphoria. If the Tour of Earth is passing through your town, strap in—it’s a wild ride through space and sound that you won’t want to miss!

Check out of photos from photographer Camryn Hutchens below!

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