Alexander Giannascoli, known artistically as Alex G, has been recording his own music since 2010, carving out his own sector of the indie-rock scene. In a 2014 article, The Fader deemed Alex G “the internet’s secret best songwriter.”
Alex G hasn’t performed in Boise, Idaho since his 2016 performance at Treefort Music Festival. More recently, Alex G’s “House of Sugar” tour planned to stop at Neurolux, but the show was canceled due to the start of the pandemic.
Selling out the Boise Knitting Factory, Alex G put on a highly awaited show that did not disappoint.
Alex G kicked off the show with S.D.O.S, the fourth track on his 2022 release of “God Save The Animals.” S.D.O.S has a sound unlike any other, with haunting auto-tuned vocals echoing throughout the track.
The lines, “Naked in my innocence / Tangled in my innocence” are repeated throughout the first two minutes of the show, with accompanying instrumentals that sounded even better performed live.
In a 2022 interview with Pitchfork magazine, Alex G explains his intention behind using vocal modulation within his productions and live performances.
“It’s more like I’m trying to capture a feeling more immediately,” Alex G said. “I’m trying to depict the thing physically, as opposed to just saying the words and hoping the listener will come around to the image.”
Immediately following “S.D.O.S” on the setlist was “Runner”, the second leading single off of “God Save the Animals”, and “Southern Sky”, a personal favorite track of mine off of Alex G’s 2019 release of “House of Sugar”.
Alex G can be defined as not only an artist, but a storyteller. Playing a variety of songs from his discography, he kept the audience mesmerized with fresh instrumentals and sounds throughout the night.
Nearing the end of the concert, the song “Powerful Man” had the audience captivated. Alex G and his band put a twist on the sound, with brighter live instrumentals than on the digital version of the song.
“Powerful Man” is the 11th track on the 2014 release of “Rocket”, where Alex G reflects on growing up and what it could mean to be perceived as a man with power.
The song comes across earnest with a satirical edge, with some of my favorite Alex G lyrics, including “Maybe he had hurt me bad / But a brother is a brother, and that is that,” and “Had a dream about a promised land / Walking around with a big gun in my hand / And when I look you in the eye / You’re gonna tell me that you love me and hold me tight.”
The show also featured a few instrumental moments with Alex G and his band impromptu jamming out.
After thanking the audience, Alex G did the one thing every good performer loves to do — come back for a lengthy encore.
Closing with a list of deep-cut tracks, including “Mis” from the 2012 release of “Rules”, the encore was almost the best part of the show.
In his typical mysterious fashion, Alex G closed the show with an unenthusiastic performance of “Sarah” from his 2012 release of “Trick”. “Sarah” recently gained mass popularity on TikTok, with over 21 million users utilizing the sound.
Over Alex G’s recent tour cycle, internet discourse has been rampant with discussions of indie artists becoming mainstream, and the atmosphere it creates within concert venues.
While some fans appreciate their favorite artist growing a larger platform, it can lead to unfavorable behaviors at live events, such as not interacting with the music or young fans interrupting the artist.
“I can’t take it for granted that people actually care,” Alex G said in a 2022 interview with Pitchfork, regarding his growing audience and maintaining ambiguity in his music. “That’s still pretty nuts to me.”
Alex G is truly one of the few stand out indie-rock performers of this generation. With unique vocals and instrumental tracks that sound even better performed live, this show will likely be one of the most innovative and authentic performances to hit the Boise music scene.
