The Mars Volta @ Old Forester's Paristown Hall - Louisville

September 29th, 2023: The Mars Volta, Teri Gender Bender @ Old Forester’s Paristown Hall - Louisville, KY

Progressive rock band The Mars Volta brought their North American Tour to Old Forester’s Paristown Hall on September 29th to a packed house! The band released their latest album Que Dios Te Maldiga Mi Corazon in April of this year, an acoustic re-recording of their 2022 self-titled album, and performed songs from the album this evening that included “Shore Story”, “L’Via L’Viaquez”, and “Graveyard Love”. As the lights went down and the band came out on stage, the crowd erupted in a sea of cheers and screams of excitement. Starting out with “Vicarious Atonement”, “Drunkship of Lanterns”, and “Graveyard Love”, they performed a 12-song setlist with a varied selection of tracks, with several from their first album De-Loused in the Comatorium. With Cedric Bixler-Zavala (vocals/lyrics) and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, the founders and only constant members of the group, dancing around the stage throughout the set, awash in a kaleidoscope of beautiful lighting, it was clear that the crowd was having a great time. The Mars Volta’s music has a fun and eclectic mix of sounds, going from slow and progressive, with sounds of jazz, Afrobeat, and salsa, to heavier and more rock and punk-oriented sounds, sometimes in the span of one song, all the while sounding cohesive. Going from one song straight into the next, there was no talking between songs, with the music taking center stage! Hanging at the back of the stage, behind the band’s setup, were several rectangular mirrors flanked in lights that made for a cool and dramatic backdrop, with the band’s reflections being mirrored back to the audience. Ending their set with “The Widow” and “Inertiatic ESP”, they gave their fans an energetic and fun evening that will no doubt leave everyone hoping the band comes back soon!

Opening the show was Teri Gender Bender, singer of Le Butcherettes, and her band. Full of energy, she and her band came out on stage with colorful onesies that had unicorn hoods pulled onto their heads, with Teri Gender Bender holding a unicorn stuffed animal that she held through the first song. Presenting the stuffed animal to the audience towards the end of the first song, she then set it on the stage until later in the set, taking the opportunity to move about the stage. Moving her body throughout the set, whether in slow and synchronized moves or faster-paced dancing, she was a bundle of energy on stage, constantly interacting with the crowd and her bandmates. Alternating singing songs in Spanish and some in English, with some spoken word moments, the crowd was having a great time dancing along, with her infectious and fun energy permeating the room. Overall, it was a really great night of music!

TERI GENDER BENDER