Live Review: Holy Fuck and Sbtrkt

Here's a live review I conducted of Holy Fuck and Sbtrkt's show at The Stanley Theatre in Liverpool as a part of the SoundCity Festival that took place over the last couple of weeks. This is only a draft but luckily I'm lazy and have a sub-editor that will check through it before it goes to print. Hope you enjoy it...

HOLY FUCK

Sbtrkt

Stanley Theatre

20/5/2010

As I arrived at the Stanley Theatre, a series of worries blighted me. Firstly, I worried that I had missed the support acts, as I was running late, and I also was worried that I wouldn’t be able to get in as Sound City gigs are ‘first come first served’ entry. However, at my arrival, all of these doubts were eased; as I walked in, support act SBTRKT’s technical personnel were setting up on stage, and there were sixteen people in the hall; literally sixteen, including myself.

Sbtrkt, coming to the stage covered by flowing locks of hair emanating from an intimidating African tribal mask, looked quite like a contemporary 6 foot totem pole. His set was particularly well thought out, with an even divide between his own productions and a fine selection of remixes and cuts from other DJs. His heavy beats were particularly impressive given the nature of the sound system in the Stanley Theatre, which seemed to have the quality quotient of the average iPod speakers. However, Sbtrkt battled through technical problems and crowd discrepancies to deliver a fantastic display of the ‘future garage’ genre that is on the rise across dance floors in the UK. Sbtrkt solemnly left the stage to a patter of applause from the minimal crowd, which had now raised itself to around thirty or forty.

However, by the time headliners HOLY FUCK took to the stage, there was a decent crowd gathered. An influx of punters had boosted the previously indistinct crowd to a respectable number. The Canadian foursome, fresh from the acclaimed release of their sophomore LP, Latin, took to the stage doused in darkness. Despite their immature moniker, they took to their task with a mechanical unity that was highly impressive.

As the crowd warmed to the band’s sound, so did the band begin to get into their stride. Despite the rapid nature of the band’s set, with minimal gaps left between tracks for applause, the crowd could be heard when greeting key tracks Lovely Allen and Stay Lit, as the band displayed their eye for a big sound early on.

Holy Fuck play instrumental music created by live drums, a bass guitar, keyboards and a sampler which created some glitchy beats which on more than one occasion strayed rather too closely to Radiohead’s Ideoteque. It can be quite hard to find a way to grasp a sound without lyrics to follow. In spite of that, their addictive and well administered melodies ensured that the crowd were given more play than work at tonight’s show.

Holy Fuck brought the night to an end with an epic five minute wall of sound, culminating in a Rapture-like funky break down leading to one of the longest and loudest crescendos that I have ever heard. This was the perfect conclusion for the night’s proceedings, as both artists left the crowd baying for more.

Andrew Hill

Go 'ead!

Skream, Caspa, Mix Master Mike, Chase and Status (well, maybe it'll be good) = one helluva line up

This is tonight's plan. Whether AbandonSilence will ever post again after all this bass, only the next 8 hours will tell :s

Thursday Night Plans

Big news for the Liverpool heads. Me Nan Loves... and The Thursday Club have announced their plans for the next few Thursdays. After the success of October's Me Nan Loves.. nights and last week's Rusko night, both seem to be stepping it up a gear with rival nights that have brought it to the fore.

This Thursday Me Nan Loves.. has Manchester maniac Chimpo at the Magnet. Only £3 entry, we will definitely be there!

A fortnight later, the dirt returns to the Liverpool Barfly when D'n'B heavyweights Dillinja return for what is sure to be a heavy and hard hitting set. They will be pre-empted by Hatcha, whose brilliant set back in October was the highlight of the run.

Both sets will be supported by Local Dubstep Hero Rich Furness. His 2 hour set before Rusko last Thursday was excellent, he really kept the crowd going throughout the marathon wait for the big man.

Me Nan Loves... Rusko

Apologies to all involved... AbandonSilence today received it's first DMCA for copyright breach :s Oh deary me! Well, offending materials have been removed, it was on an old post anyway - I'm not allowed to say what individual post the material was on, but you can probably work out what's missing.

Anywho.. today! Well, rather unfortunately for me, after the messiness of last night's horribly generic student night, I have further pressing matters this fair evening - Rusko is heading to Liverpool! The man is playing at the Liverpool Barfly, and we will be there.

However, the gig is pay-in only, rather oddly, so we have to get there early-doors to guarantee entry. Bit frustrating.

So, to celebrate this fine evening of dirty DJing and ugly beats, I will give you some fresh Rusko, alongisde a classic remix. The Jahova VIP first came to our notice on Caspa's Essential Mix, but we've heard it alot since then, classic.

Rusko - Jahova VIP

The Prodigy Remix is the biggest signifier of what Rusko live gig is like, you can almost hear the destruction occuring while the bass flies every which way possible.

Prodigy - Take Me to the Hospital (Rusko Remix)

Finally, a rare remix of an Attacca (don't know?) track. This is an interesting track as it is the most recent, and is also in a more electro direction, which Rusko has spoke about as an influence upon his forthcoming LP. Also, it's a tune!

Attacca - Make it Funk for Me (Rusko Remix)

Rusko is Coming

Two weeks today, the city of Liverpool will be graced by the presence of one hell of a dirty man. No not Gary Glitter, Rusko! In support of his horrifically titled debut album, OMG, Rusko is playing at the Liverpool Barfly on the 25th February. Support will come from local DJs Rich Furness and Eat Your Greens' Jonas.

Today we link you to the download of an interview Rusko did with Diplo, head of his label Mad Decent, to chat about his future plans, the album and other interesting things like his influences.

Its a very good listen for anyone wondering how to get into DJing and just how one of the UK's best DJs got to where he is.

Rusko - Mad Decent Podcast 45

Chibuku 6th Feb

Another week, another night. Chibuku this time down at the good old Liverpool Barfly. Crookers are playing, but AbandonSilence is more interested in The Others and Emalkay playing at the same time in a different room.... AND.... They're followed by the Original Nuttah, Shy FX! Sounds like a good night to us.

Hope as many of you viewers as possible will be going, or if not going to a similar night tonight. Let's get on it.

Tonight's Plans

AbandonSilence is now chilling in it's cushy apartment awaiting the evenings event.

Tonight were attending Playdub in Liverpol at The Kazimier. Ive never been to this location so should be an interesting night.

Coki, nu:tone, Cotti and Irration Steppas are playing. Hoping for a good night