Concert Review: The Mars Volta at the Midland by AMC

BY ELGIN SMITH

When I first considered doing a review of the Mars Volta, a few thoughts came to mind: Being a fan of progressive rock, I thought it would be an exhilarating concert to attend – one that could achieve sensory overload. Listening to the band’s studio releases sometimes gets me to the point of disinterest, but, I thought, seeing a live show could sway me into putting the Mars Volta into the you’ve-gotta-see-them-in-concert category. Thankfully, I was right. (Although I do wish earplugs had been available at the venue.)

From the onset, the Mars Volta was very much on point, bringing the prog to KC like few bands have in recent years. Guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez played with such ear-melting precision it was hard to keep up. Coupled with lead singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala’s vocals, the two frontmen absolutely reproduced the power and technical precision that marks the records, along with progressive rock in general.