In March, Wand played NRMAL, one of the last music festivals to take place in North America before the coronavirus crackdown on large gatherings. If you missed the California band’s electrifying performance at the 2020 Mexico City event, you’re in luck, because it’s available for viewing. NRMAL shared a video that captures the last two songs of Wand’s set, “Rio Grande” and “Fire On the Mountain (I-II-III).” Watch it below.

Launched in 2010, NRMAL celebrated its 11th edition in March. A festival dedicated to underground music, artist cancellations have plagued the event of late. Last year, John Maus pulled out last minute, and this year, Flying Lotus crushed fans’ hearts. That left Wand, Juana Molina, Bush Tetras, Byetone, and The Sea and Cake to crush it as 2020 headliners. Over the years, the fest has hosted a who’s who of alternative, and psych-rock acts including Oh Sees, DIIV, Mac DeMarco, Parquet Courts, Destroyer, Silver Apples, Deerhunter, Sleep, Explosions in the Sky, Mazzy Star, Psychic TV, Spiritualized, and Death Grips.

Since the lockdown, NRMAL has teamed with a bunch of indie music promoters in Mexico, including Mutek, Noiselab, and Hipnosis, for Far Away Together, a month-long festival featuring national and international acts that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Running through April 30, the fest takes place each evening at 9pm ET/8pm CT/6pm PT on Twitch. Among the artists that have taken part include Poolside, Sofi Tukker, PillowTalk, No Joy, and Elliot Moss. It’s free to watch, but the organizers are hoping folks will donate. 60% of funds raised go to the performers, with 40% going to El Día After. You can find out more about the festival here.

As for Wand, Cory Hanson and his bandmates, Sofia Arreguin, Robert Cody, Lee Landey, and Evan Burrows, had planned on taking a break from touring in 2020. The group had been on the road consistently since the release of their acclaimed 2019 Drag City LP, Laughing Matter. Their 2019 schedule included an appearance at Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival in June and a show at Elsewhere in Brooklyn in July.

The band’s hiatus coincides with the release of an EP by Sofia’s punk band, P22. Human Snake is out now via Post Present Medium.

As for the video of Wand’s performance at NRMAL, it’s a thing of beauty that transports you to a time that seems very far away. The band play “Rio Grande,” which is off their latest record, Laughing Matter, and “Fire On the Mountain (I-II-III),” off 2014’s Ganglion Reef. There is one hint of the coronavirus’ impending doom, as Robbie is wearing a surgical mask.

On the topic of masks, Cory and his mom made some COVID-19 face coverings from Wand tie-dye t-shirts (see image below). Unfortunately, they are sold out right now. However, check the Wand store from time-to-time. Perhaps they will come back in stock. Update 4/28: The masks are back in stock! Go here to purchase.

Wand tie-dye masks. Image courtesy of the band.