Swans were at the Electric Brixton on 9/11/2025 playing the first of three nights as part of their last tour in their current incarnation. Michael Gira, bandleader and vocalist, has indicated that there will be no further tour dates added and that whatever happens next with Swans will be a different composition, so this is the last chance to see them as part of their ‘Big Sound’ set-up.
Jessica Moss opened for Swans and set the tone for the night quite nicely. Jessica has been part of number of Canadian bands releases (Broken Social Scene, Arcade Fire) as well as working other musicians (Vic Chesnutt). She was part of The Silver Mt Zion Memorial Orchestra and Tra-La-La Band and has been involved in creating music for films. Her latest album Unfolding has only recently been released.
She introduced herself by suggesting that we close our eyes while listening to her if we wanted to because she was playing this just for us. Jessica said that she would be playing nonstop and that she was grateful to share the stage with Swans. She used her violin, some vocal effects and bells and chimes showcasing music from her newest release. Her short set moved between creating a sorrowful and uplifting feeling with tension built up then released throughout. Her violin playing was soulful and proof that when well-played can resonate on a deeply emotive level. As she said at the start of her set “No one is free until all of us are free” and she ended the set repeating this statement within her song. Jessica is well worth seeing live if you get the opportunity.
Swans really need to be seen live to be able to appreciate their brutal, intense, beautifully crafted musicianship of the seven band members onstage. They start slowly on the first song building the piece together, adding instruments and urgency as the music develops. Michael Gira is at the heart of it sitting in centre of the stage, conducting the band, pushing the limits of the musicians and drawing the crowd in the slipstream of the performance. He looks like a human theremin waving his arms on a later song, dancing and demanding more from himself, the band and the audience.
Swans are not for everyone as they are very loud at times, the songs do require focus or the ability to lose yourself within it as they unfold as they are all quite lengthy, but the audience were aware of this and receptive to this. The set comprises some released and some unreleased music. Because Swans have been around since 1981 some fans may have hoped for a set comprising songs across their various releases, but this has not been the case on this tour. There was a good mix of older fans who have likely seen the band several times over the years but there were also newer fans experiencing them for the first time.
Swans had requested that people not use their mobile phones during their set, and the crowd were respectful of this request. It is unusual that these requests are adhered to, so it was great to get to enjoy live music without the distraction of people filming on their phones. This added to the communal feeling that built during the set and meant that people were able to experience whatever they were feeling in the moment rather than recording it to likely never be looked at again.
The band members who build the wall of sound all deserve a mention for their excellent musicianship including Norma Westberg (long time band member and guitarist), Kristof Hahn on lap pedal steel, Larry Mullins on drums, Phil Puleo on percussion, Christopher Pravdica and Dana Schecter on bass guitar. Their intuitiveness and skill was evident as they wove the songs together building up the tension and shifting dynamics within the set.
The tracks that they played that have been released and recognizable were ‘The Merge’ from latest release Birthing which was brooding, hypnotic and had an incredible percussion section that was incredibly loud. ‘Paradise is Mine’ is primal in presentation and the song’s themes. A lot of Swans music feels elemental, raising questions and searching for answers not easily found. ‘A Little God in My Hands’ with the lyrics that seem an apt summary of Swans.
“Forever hungry
Forever hateful
Forever beautiful
Forever needing,
Forever reaching”
The band were able to absorb the energy from the crowd towards the end of the concert multiplying it and feeding it back until they being the set to an end. Michael Gira seems to be enjoying himself on stage as he takes Swans on a victory lap of honour. When the set ended, he asked for the house lights to be turned on so we could both appreciate being part of the crowd and the band could show their thanks to the audience. Stumbling out into the streets of Brixton, ears ringing, in a state of fugue next to my office I’ll be working in tomorrow morning was slightly surreal. Whatever Swans and Michael Gira do next will be interesting and I’m certain that his diehard fanbase will be joined by converts from these concerts who’ve experienced something special tonight.
Jessica Moss: Facebook / Bandcamp
Swans: Facebook
Reviewed and photography by Jason McDonald @jaygigphotos.bsky.social
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