This is a nice venue. I wouldn't mind coming out this way more often. The last time I was here was for pretty much the same show! Local lads Budspells first up, appearing as a four piece on drums, laptop, charismatic Kye up front, and a pretty useless set of congas. Some interesting new songs, some Wicked Beat Sound System tunes. Some wicked, edgy tech-hip hop, some soulful dub and round it all off with drum'n bass. Very nice. Good to see the Budspells name getting out there and fairly healthy numbers on the dancefloor grooving along. Eagerly awaiting the lp.
Solaa, never heard of them before. Almost big band kinda affair with male rapper and female songstress; with a backing band of bass guitar, drums, and keys. And trumpet and sax. I never managed to catch the Recloose big band live show, but this is what I would imagine it to be like. Jazzy, soulful grooves, no hard edges, a touch too smooth and easy listening. Pleasant, but not exactly my cup of tea.
Went wandering outside in the fresh cold air instead of hearing dj Ritual work the crowd because damn smokers has got my throat all dry and itchy. Aren't they meant to be all stamped out or locked up in re-education camps?! Bloody...
Shapeshifter. The lads on keys and drums and occasional electric guitar, with P-digsss radiating charisma as always. They can do soulful tech-hip-hop, but they are in their element and most mind blowing when they turn it up and tear the roof off the joint with ruff and heavy drum'n bass. Get everyone hyper. Stories in the street press says they had the roots in jazz music school, but I wouldn't be surprised if they said they started out in heavy metal (like Pendulum did). Finishing the set with "this is what we call drum, this is what we call bass..." or something like that, a heavy, heavy roller, I was just spent and exhilarated. I felt like they couldn't top it and didn't stay to check the encore. It was already perfect. Brilliant.