I forgot to tell you. Rock show season is upon us. It kicked off with Young Fathers at Lincoln Hall. Labeled as a hip hop group from the UK, they won a Mercury Prize (2014) for their record Dead. I wasn't sure what to expect. I went because they were in town. I went because the Mercury prize seems significant. I checked out their stuff and was unsure. I went because I like the venue and the tickets were reasonable. I told my wife, the best case scenario is that the live show is amazing and it all makes sense.
Well, I'm a believer now. To tell you the truth, it was not unlike my surprise that Kanye West has a very passionate live show. It wasn't a Flying Lotus, jaw drop, type of show. Most of all it was energetic and sincere and it allowed the music to speak to me. There are many hip hop elements, but I'm not convinced that it's a hip hop group (perhaps they self identify in that way, which would be fine). The chemistry between the members was unique in that they seemed to be the closest of friends. They were often emphatic as if to say, 'no, this really is a problem' or 'don't just dance, try to hear what I'm saying'. It was thoroughly modern. of this time. worth my time. See them if you get the chance.
I was struck by the video for Shame (i was also surprised by its use of modern dance like Xenia Rubinos video for Let's Go Out. Is that what is hot in the streets? I really love that song).
Before I go, Tunde Olanrian opened. A pleasant surprise since he wasn't listed on the bill. A fantastically crafted live show. He has a dancer flanking him on each side, in masks I seem to recall from The Black Hole, obscuring their emotions. Movements that seemed, 'urban' , robotic, occasionally self-aware and reflective. Olanrian would occasionally dance with them and it seemed like the dance was as much a part of the musical product as anything else. The basics of it; great beats, a wonderful voice, lyrics that were personal and striking. I could see strains of the Mothership Connection, contemporaries like Frank Ocean and folks that are stretching the hip hop and dance idioms like M.I.A. I bought the EP. I hope he goes far.
After that was Mas Ysa. I started off pissed. I thought he was a DJ. I can't pay money to watch people turn knobs anymore. It turns out the electronics are his instrument. He reminded me of early peter gabriel. The song forms are complex in that he seems to avoid the verse/chorus/verse/chorus trap. It feels more like a long narrative. A chorus or high point you can appreciate only if you heard the whole story. I appreciated it. Also, he had a wonderfully comfortable demeanor on the stage. Engaged to the point of being possessed while performing, easy-going, slightly self-deprecating, and funny in between songs. I haven't checked out his pre-recorded stuff but I really enjoyed the live show.