Ambient minimalist quasi-classical duo from Texas living in Brussels. I'm going to see them tomorrow, some people have been raving about their music and shows. Has anybody seen or heard them yet?
http://www.myspace.com/starsofthelid

Brilliant band, although their last album's not their best. Lovely, gaseous guitar textures on which you can float/soar.

Their solo projects- Brian McBride* and The Dead Texan- are worth checking out too.

Any fans would do well to check out the gorgeous Low Point label too: http://www.low-point.com/ .

*I know! And so do they- their last album's got a track on it called 'Dopamine Clouds over Craven Cottage'.

It was a really good show.

The opening act was a solo instumental guitar act by Christopher Willits, from SF, who is very much into the same register. His visuals were absolutely terrific, even better than those from the Stars of the Lid. The show was really about the combination of the sounds and pictures. It's somewhat reminiscent of the psychedelic scene in the late 60s, where the visuals became preeminent and gave the shows their distinctive quality.

The venue was fantastic as well, an oak-panneled hall lined with rows of leather benches and a back row of throne-like tall wooden chairs behind rows of folding chairs, with the large area in front of the stage covered with tightly packed people sitting on the floor. About a thousand people in a relatively small space, a very quiet and appreciative audience that was captivated by the show. It was in the ceremonial hall of the main Masonic temple in town, a pretty spooky setting, replete with intriguing crests and symbols but packed with local hipsters, a pretty curious juxtaposition and venue to say the least. I wish I'd taken my camera.

All in all a great concert, almost as memorable as the Arcade Fire's landmark show at the Ukranian Federation building last year in Montreal.

The music was somewhere between interesting and brilliant. Somehow, I'm still not sure where exactly... One thing's for sure, it's definitely worth checking out, they will be touring Europe and the UK in May. Heads up FH and other interested: they seem to be very picky on their venues which will probably mean that the shows in the bigger towns will sell out a few days ahead.

Some pics from the same tour here:
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/49957-photos-stars-of-the-lid-nudge-christopher-willits-los-angeles-ca-041408

I like Christopher Willits, he's done some very nice stuff.