Slowdive

Pioneering British shoegaze band Slowdive made some of the biggest music news of 2014 when they reunited for a tour after nearly 20 years apart, and they continue to send indie rock fans over the moon whenever they perform their lush, atmospheric brand of dream pop in concert. Critics originated the term "shoegaze" in the '90s as a derogatory way to describe bands' lackluster stage presence, but Slowdive discredits the label every time they take the stage, turning out powerful performances that teem with electric energy and stylish showmanship. Dual singers/guitarists Rachel Goswell and Neil Halstead trade off vocal duties, wrapping their soaring, reverb-soaked melodies in a gorgeous sonic wall of guitar textures that totally envelopes audiences. Meanwhile the rhythm section sets a relaxed groove with smooth basslines and unadorned drumming that lets the band's guitar-driven atmospherics shine. As they captivate crowds with chimerical favorites like "Shine" and "When the Sun Hits", Slowdive gives the impression that the two decades they spent apart had never passed, treating ticket buyers to a totally immersive concert experience that proves shoegaze remains as vibrant as ever.