Bonobo

Don’t make the mistake of going to a Bonobo concert whilst not intoxicated. There was an impressive visual element to the show that might have moved me more had I been inebriated, with large high quality video footage meshed with lasers and vibrant lighting, creating a good spectacle. Combining this with simple but bold electronica resulted in an undeniable feel-good factor in the crowd, that sadly left this uninitiated and unaltered observer cold.

There were some fine tonal varieties amidst the generous live ensemble however, which focused primarily on Bonobo himself on guitar (Simon Green) backed by live drums, electronic drums, keyboards, vocals from Szjerdene and much more. A string quartet was a strong musical break for example, whereas some loud brass and confetti heralded in a BIG moment in BIG fashion.

Although there was a fizzy and elaborate fandangle on stage, the concert was musically bereft, creating a curious sense of inertia and cerebral inactivity amidst such a kaleidoscope of communal revelry. Existentially discombobulating.

Brighton Centre, 22 November 2017
Rating:
Joe Fuller