I regret at the same time as I'm glad the fact that I only discovered the first act within 30 minutes of setting off to this gig. Navene-K, a man of many talents. On stage alone he dominated on drums and on guitar. Swapping from the guitar to drums on stage whilst using clever loops and drums pads it was an impressive performance as well as amazing sound. From what I can remember (I try to make notes during these gigs but I'm too fixated to remember the whole thing) he played his EP in it's entirety, it's called 'Mind' and it's £2.51 to buy, and I bought it immediately after hearing the first song off of it because it's amazing. Progressive/Jazz/Dubstep/some other genre.. I can't even think of much more genres to describe the music. He has an interesting variety of elements from a whole range of genres I feel he has his own style definitely down to a T. Jazz chords over funky but off-beat drums triggered the head bob then ambient, Transformer SFX created the 'FFFFYES' reaction in my mind.
I always think it's very difficult for an instrumental bad to stay captivating in a live performance scenario unless of course their music is meant to create this space and prompt the mind to drift, nonetheless! Navene-K kicked ass and I definitely recommend anyone looking for something a bit different and experimental to check this badass out. Here's links to all the social networking info, and so on, to keep track of him, wish him the best in finding a place amongst the progressive/experimental scene.
ANIMALS. AS. LEADERS. oh my. First time I'd seen them live, been a huge fan of theirs for years but only finally got round to seeing them. Such a fantastic trio of musicians. For any guitarist or drummer out there.. these guys are a physical Earth dwelling manifestation and representation of musician heaven. I don't think there's a better way to describe it. Firstly, I rarely hear an 8 string guitar so extensively utilised in all my musical experience but the together-ness of the three as well as creativity. I can't begin to imagine how amazing their improvised jams are when they're songwriting, it must be heaven. One of the most brilliant things I picked out during their set, the song 'The Woven Web' actually looked as though they composed it to look as though their fingers mimicked that of a spider.. guitarist Javier especially who I was taking particular interest in more than Tosin I admit but that little realisation just made their music leave me in awe that much more. As incredible as the Tosin and Javier were I had to hand to the drummer. I've never experienced live such an energetic and mental drummer on top of being incredibly tight to the beat ON TOP OF being polyrhythmic as hell. The solo sections in some of the songs were just astounding, an amazing creative mind has he.
What I love most, and why I stress musicians especially of the guitar choice, is the harmonies and rhythms that are going on. Tosin has an inspiring musical ear and sense of harmony and rhythm and his technique is flawless. The use of extended chords, them using 8 strings, are just so much deeper and punchier. Total pleasure to watch those chaps and let my ears lap up those amazing sounds.
On to the mighty TesseracT. It was my first time seeing them with their old singer Dan. I'm still not sure who I prefer, him or Ashe but needless to say Dan puts up a good fight. Pitch perfect man of few words, like the rest of the band, but humble and appreciative nonetheless. For this kind of music I feel you don't go for the crowd participation to that of a hardcore gig, with call and response, singing choruses etc. they're a more 'lose yourself with us in our awesome soundscape while we paint it before your very eyes' type group. I want to plug a word I've always wanted to use and that word is segue, beautiful segue. What I love about TesseracT's live performances is the continuation from one song to the other. It keeps it all together moving fluidly and keeps you entranced, keeps the head bobbing, interest is still there, some people switch off and start clapping but if you just fixate on them and their sound art installation type show they put on you're really on an awesome 60 minute sound journey with them, and I love that. They played my favourite song too which is always nice, Concealing Fate Part I - Acceptance. So many fantastic grooves in there mixed in with staccato verses and ambient sections, each damn song is a contouring soundscape, I use that word a lot.. in a lot of writing I do on music because I feel the dynamics, textures of the sounds definitely do paint this rising and flowing visual and aural terrain. TesseracT one of the bands I admire who definitely know who to take you on a journey with their live performances.
Some high caliber musical individuals hit that stage. Inspiring, I'm still buzzing from it now, probably why I fan-boyed for so long.. good stuff.
Navene-K welcome to my collection of favourites, TesseracT and Animals As Leaders, pleasure as always, I love you and you and musical genius.
