Virtual gallery: The Airborne Toxic Event at the Civic

Since 2008, The Airborne Toxic Event has graced New Orleans with its music six times. This past Saturday, the five-person, California-based indie rock band returned to the city with a performance at the Civic Theatre, with American folk and blues band In the Valley Below (also based out of California, whose music is best described as a mixture of Ms. Mr. and Shiny Toy Guns, with a little folk infusion) serving as the opening act. Although In the Valley Below only played six songs, the tracks they selected, in addition to confident deliveries of these songs, produced a clear and developed sampling of their music.

While playing for a small crowd, The Airborne Toxic Event performed from an eclectically lit stage with a giant bird statue serving as a backdrop — elements that ultimately produced an intimate setting — with the band personally thanking the attending fans for their continued support. The band’s set was comprised of material from all three of the band’s studio albums, as well as one new song and the anthem they wrote for last year’s Dallas Buyers Club — all of which showcased the multi-instrumental talents of the band, while the moody light show reinforced the dark overtones of the material at hand.

To view an extended gallery, click here.

Steven Hatley is a New Orleans-based photographer. You can find more of his photography here.