I could not have picked a better night to go out to Oakland to see the headline tour from Crosses. I remember seeing their debut tour over a decade ago when I lived in Boston, at the Paradise Rock Club. That night, the venue was packed to the gills, and I distinctly remember being by the soundboard and seeing the separate rack settings and notes for Chino Moreno’s microphone and effects. It was a pretty cool glimpse inside the live sound of the guy who I have followed since the mid-nineties with Deftones. But much like Maynard James Keenan and Puscifer, it does seem like Crosses is his favorite child and passion. Along with his partner Shawn Lopez, formerly of the awesome and now defunct Sacramento band Far. They make for a sick team of creatives.

Exiting the BART at 19th Street and dipping out from an alley reminded me of Victorian England for a split second. I crossed the street and walked one block to the Fox Theater. For those that don’t know the Fox is one of the gems of the Bay Area in terms of venues: a classy vaudeville-era theater that originally opened in 1928 to show the “cutting edge” movie technology of the day – ” talkies.” They also had a Wurlitzer piano Morgan which was dope and the venue still has a lot of its touches from back then including the dome ceiling, with its terracotta tiles and Hindu-influenced religious artifacts. I love this venue and have seen many over the few years since I moved here. Always a top-notch experience with staff, bartenders, the ushers.

 

In a dream scenario for a weeknight show, there was just a DJ and the one band. I’m about ready for this to be my regular goto for every show, and that says all kinds of things about me. DJ Crook One did a warm-up set, mixing in some familiar songs with some cool cuts and other jams I did not know. Fittingly, there a Prince tribute, including very cool visuals behind the turntables. He seemed very humble, thanking the crowd for showing up early. One thing I would have liked to see was to have Crosses’ light show on for the opener, as I think it would have had a little more drama to the otherwise solid set.

 

On to the main act. Without a curtain or a Kabuki drop, we got to watch the crew take away the DJ table and set up the stage for crosses. Two main hubs of keyboards as well as a huge video screen and a bunch of vanity ramps for Chino, and a of course their distinctive giant glowing crosses. How fitting. The lights went down and I noticed how full the venue was, because both these artists are local in origin and also the popularity of the band. It was especially packed in tight, which I could see from my perch in my seat in the mezzanine. No complaints here. I’d much rather watch from a perch than me in the thick of the crowd.

With a scream from the fans that evokes boy bands, the band came on stage to the instrumental intro of the title track of their current record – Good Night, God Bless, I Love You, Delete (Warner Music, review here), and they launched into the first song “Invisible Hand.” This started a moody, emotional night punctuated with atmospheric songs, pulsing bass, and sexy beats. Sean played a lot more guitar than I expected, compared to the last time I saw the group, while Chino did his usual thing, hopping around the stage jumping up and off the risers, and genuinely performing to the entire room, one of his specialties.

 

The aforementioned lighting was spectacular and added all kinds of ambiance to the set. There were some fan favorites on the setlist, and the crowd was very vocal about which songs they were excited about. Sean shifted easily between guitar and keys, and Chino also tickled those ivories once or twice. The little he did speak, he also remarked how great the crowd was, and you could tell he was having a moment up there of appreciation and gratitude. Chances are he saw a lot of his early shows at this very venue, with the proximity to his hometown.

Highlights of the night included the following songs: “This Is A Trick,” “Ghost Ride,” “Pleasure,” “Vivian,” “Initiation,” the Cause and Effect cover “The Beginning of The End, “Girls Float and Boys Cry,” “Bitches Brew,” “Big Youth” (complete with EL-P on tape via video) and the encore featuring “Telepathy” with its Prince sample. Again Prince always factors in these shows from Chino, since he’s such a massive fan. Same gurl. Same.

Do not miss Crosses when they come to Europe or back to the States or anywhere else in the world when you get a chance.

Setlist via setlist.fm:
Good Night, God Bless, I Love You, Delete (on tape)

Invisible Hand

†his Is a †rick

Ghost Ride

Pleasure

Found

Vivien

Initiation

Pulseplagg

†hholyghs†

Sensation

Cadavre Exquis

Girls Float † Boys Cry

Protection

†he Epilogue

Bi†ches Brew

Big Youth

†elepa†hy

Op†ion

 

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY KEEFY