This article is NOT about Portugal. The Man.  If you are looking for a full review of their set from the Governor’s Island concert, go somewhere else.

I realize I’m a bit late on reviewing this show, but nevertheless, last Saturday’s Portugal. The Man/Alberta Cross/Hopewell concert at Governor’s Island is worth the extended mention.  Alberta Cross, a Brooklyn-based band, took the stage to an somewhat inattentive audience.  In fact, one person in the crowd screamed to the band, “who are you?!”  Bassist, Terry Wolfers promptly replied, “who are you?!”

From that point forward, this particular fan had to have been embarrassed as Alberta Cross surprised the thousands of music fans in attendance that evening.  They opened with a beautiful cover of John Lennon’s Steel and Glass.  The entire band seemed extremely concise, and though that was my first time seeing them play, you could tell they work hard to make their live show an “event.”

One highlight of the band’s set had to be when lead singer and guitar player, Petter Stakee broke out into a sort of chant/clap/yelp introduction to their song, Rise from the Shadows, which clearly shocked the audience.  There were people turning to each other wherever I looked, trying to figure out the name of the band (Alberta Cross) that was giving them something so original.  As a fan of Alberta Cross, I’m partial in saying that they stole that show.  That being said, they rocked the entire island that night.

Here’s the set list:

1.  Steel and Glass (John Lennon Cover)
2.  Taking Control
3.  Ramblin Home
4.  The Thief and the Heartbreaker
5.  Low Man
6.  Leave Us and Forgive Us
7.  Rise from the Shadows
8.  ATX

Here’s a video I took at the concert during the performance of their song, Taking Control, a personal favorite of mine.  The vocals are a bit soft, but overall quality of the video’s pretty good.  For more info on the band, head to their Facebook fan page (click here).  As for us, we’ll be giving away an iPod Touch soon, so stay tuned on our Facebook page.