Spine-chilling spirit chasers My hairs were on end for the majority of the Dead Can Dance concert at City Centre on Wednesday July 17. However, I don't know if the air conditioning was largely responsible or not. Seriously however, the Dead Can Dance experience makes it worth braving the 500 Sousixe the Banshee look-a-likes who flock to the show every two or three years. Seriously again, the mix of people was excellent - not really overly weighted to any particular stereotypes. Lisa Gerrard came out dressed in a beautiful flowing green robe, changing later into the more familar white robe. Brendan Perry wore his more casual button down shirt and brownish jeans. The songs played were mainly from the last three albums (Into the Labrynth, Toward the Within, Spirtchaser.) The nine person band seemed a tad nervous or uncomfortable with the material from Spiritchaser. This tour had three or four more people on stage than last time around. In any case, the music played had enough effect that several individuals shouted out towards the stage in strange and ancient languages. Powerful stuff! In addition to the unease, the sound at this performance was horrible. Really heavy somehow - maybe on the lower end. Took away from some of the songs. However, it is really easy to criticize, but it is much harder to communicate the effect this concert had on me. The show brought chills to my spine, and the live show is very much a part of full appreciation of the Dead Can Dance experience. The touch of both the evocative full-on drone experience and the all-out percussive jams leave no room for those faint of heart - you will emerge a Dead Can Dance concert a different person. So all and all - there were problems - but Brendon and Lisa *ARE* Dead Can Dance and nothing short of force majour can stop them.