REVIEW: They Are Gutting a Body of Water with Cashier and Stab: Live at The Masquerade (Purgatory) - ATL

The underground legends strengthen their influence while sticking to their roots

They Are Gutting a Body of Water in Atlanta (Photo by Mikey Smith)

Last week, Philadelphia shoegaze stars They Are Gutting a Body of Water (TAGABOW) sold out The Masquerade’s Purgatory stage in Atlanta. Playing cuts of their latest record, LOTTO, the band highlighted DIY aesthetics and underground attributes on their biggest headlining tour to date. 

Stab opening for TAGABOW in ATL (Photo by Mikey Smith)

Starting the night off, Austin act Stab and Lafayette group Cashier each brought their own style that co-exists in the world of shoegaze. With contrasting red and blue lights, Stab leaned towards the more raw side of the scene, and Cashier moved towards the dreamier aspects of it. Through this balance, both groups found ways to connect to the ATL crowd in their brief sets. The artists kept it simple, but the music still got the audience to go deeper into the trance of this hazy genre.

Lafayette group Cashier at The Masquerade (Photo by Mikey Smith)

As soon as the final opener strummed their last note, security immediately came to the floor asking the crowd to clear out to make a circle. For those uninitiated, this meant that TAGABOW was about to create their signature central stage setup. The group made their way to the floor shortly after and began the night with a mix of songs from their older projects, such as Destiny XL, and their aforementioned new album, LOTTO. 

Douglas Dugarian of TAGABOW (Photo by Mikey Smith)

With this intimate live experience, TAGABOW knew their fans would love for the band to keep their underground roots even after their recent successes. The group does not feel like they’re holding themselves back by doing shows like these, but rather, they’re embracing their influence among shoegaze and experimental rock groups playing the house shows of today.

A common element of experimental rock, shoegaze, and noise-rock is an underlying melody that can be difficult to find on the first listen or two. Even as a fan of the genre myself, I’ve admittedly found myself having to search deeply to find said melody in bands I would consider myself a fan of. 

TAGABOW's signature center stage setup (Photo by Mikey Smith)

At TAGABOW’s shows, that element of shoegaze is placed upfront and clear to the audience. Playing at the literal center of the room, the sonics of these tracks hit wall-to-wall and surround every part of the venue. Whether it’s the heavy distortion or the heavenly sample, the setlist is filled with song after song that will surprise fans with how much it elevates from the already solid recorded counterparts.

Emily Lofing of TAGABOW (Photo by Mikey Smith)

In the end, TAGABOW haven’t strayed away from the foundation they built nearly a decade ago. Expanded and ever-fascinating, the underground legends continue to impress and influence. It’s clear that whatever their next move may be, you can still expect TAGABOW to do what their best at on an a higher scale than anyone can imagine.

Thanks to TAGABOW, Cashier, Stab, their teams, and The Masquerade for an insane night of experimental rock history! Please enjoy a gallery of highlights below.

TAGABOW's new album LOTTO is out now via ATO Records.

Article and photos by Mikey Smith. Please credit @mts2.photo or @art.seen.atl if reposting on social media.