Concert Review: The Mars Volta Neighborhood Theatre – Charlotte, NC

6 minutes ago

1 min read

I vividly remember the first time I heard The Mars Volta in 2003 (maybe 2004). My immediate reaction was, “What the hell did I just listen to?” It took me a few listens to fully understand the sonic complexity. Fast-forward 23 years, and they still bring that same raw intensity to every show they play.

The last time they played Charlotte, they opened for Deftones at Spectrum Center, a vastly larger venue than the Neighborhood Theatre. They decided to play their then-unreleased album, Lucro Sucio; Los Ojos del Vacío. Personally, I thought it was a brilliant move, but I’ll admit I was still hoping to hear some of the classics that are tied to so many of my core memories.

The Mars Volta’s ability to flip a switch from noise to beauty is still very much intact. Avant-garde is probably the best way to describe the show. Now that it’s over, if you’re reading this and haven’t seen them live, make sure you catch their next performance. Trust me when I say you don’t need to know a single song to enjoy their set.

Personal Highlights: