Metric Cover Beastie Boys at New York Show

After selling out New York's Terminal 5 on Sunday night, Metric delivered a performance that was hard and soft, tough and tender. The quartet opened with 'Twilight Galaxy,' a contemplative track off their most recent effort, 'Fantasies.' The gentle number was revamped with a propulsive instrumental breakdown and wild stage lighting that compelled frontwoman Emily Haines to start headbanging.

The Canadian act continued to rile up the audience with heavier renditions of their album tracks, encouraging a roomful of people to fist-pump to 'Help, I'm Alive,' 'Dead Disco' and 'Stadium Love.' Haines, who donned a silver sequined skirt with a flowing white top, spent the show alternately singing beatifically behind her keyboard and kicking up her heels across the stage with a tambourine. The band took several creative liberties during their set, notably during a lengthy interlude in 'Empty,' which saw Haines lacing lyrics from the Beastie Boys' 'Fight for Your Right' into the extended mix.

Bear in Heaven supported Metric, who recalled seeing the opening act at this year's SXSW. During the earlier set, the Brooklyn-based trio had a chance to display their precise, far-reaching tunes as well as singer Jon Philpot's dry sense of humor. "You guys like drums?" he deadpanned to the crowd. "Me, too. I like sandwiches also." The group stood before three floor-level spotlights, illuminating them from behind as they played songs from 2009's psychedelic 'Beast Rest Forth Mouth.'

However, the evening's quietest moments perhaps left the greatest impact. For their final encore, Haines and guitarist Jimmy Shaw delivered an acoustic version of 'Combat Baby' that was eventually overtaken by the voices of their singing fans.

Metric are on tour through mid-June before playing several July dates of the Lilith Fair tour.