Ulver at Irving Plaza
Photo by Greg Cristman

Ulver played their 1st North American show at Irving Plaza (pics, setlist)

The long wait finally ended Thursday night when Ulver played their first-ever North American show at Irving Plaza, their first of two NYC shows at the venue (they do it again tonight). Along with a large amount of equipment on stage, frontman and mastermind Kristoffer Rygg was joined by five band members. Though no metal was performed, many metalheads were among those dressed in black that packed the sold out venue to hear a set of synthpop tunes from the Norwegian band’s recent albums, 2017’s The Assassination of Julius Caesar and Sic transit gloria mundi EP. Like at most recent shows, they closed the show with their cover from that EP, Frankie Goes to Hollywood classic “The Power of Love.”

Those expecting tracks from the band’s black metal past would be sorely disappointed (and didn’t do their research), but most probably knew what they were in for, and were willing, ready and excited for it. The sound was great, and the band did not disappoint, as the screams from the crowd all night proved.

Check out more photos from (the very dark) show in the gallery above (we heard that the show was also supposed to have lasers that they were unable to use last minute due to missing permits). Setlist from the 2+ hour gig (with no opener), below:


setlist: ULVER @ Irving Plaza (3/21/19) — night 1 of 2) (via)
Nemoralia
Southern Gothic
1969
So Falls the World
Rolling Stone
Echo Chamber (Room of Tears)
Transverberation
Angelus Novus
Bring Out Your Dead
Coming Home
Encore:
The Power of Love

photos by Greg Cristman