If you’ve never heard Explosions in the Sky, it might take you a little while to realize that their songs are entirely instrumental. There’s an energy and momentum to the band’s expansive rock music that can make it sound like an awesome, anthemic chorus is always right around the corner. That’s not to say that EITS’ music is lacking something; it manages to be emotionally powerful and intense without ever saying a word. Purely instrumental rock music is a pretty small niche, but EITS has managed to play major festivals like Glastonbury, Bonnaroo and Coachella, and open tours for big-name acts like Nine Inch Nails and Smashing Pumpkins.
The band’s biggest mainstream exposure came when they composed the score for the 2004 film Friday Night Lights, making a key contribution to the movie’s tone and style, which was carried over to the subsequent TV series. They’ve since scored a handful of other movies, including the hit drama Lone Survivor from FNL director Peter Berg. Their dense, cathartic music is perfect for accompanying heart-wrenching drama, and it conveys that same feeling in the band’s live performances, which can envelop audiences with soundscapes that function like compact rock symphonies.
Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq, 7 p.m. Aug. 28, starting at $25 plus fee, 18+. 702.862.2695