40
Bido Lito! June 2015 Reviews
in a live setting. Never one to rest on his
laurels or settle for convention, Barnes' music
is an entity in constant motion, and to see
those movements in the flesh is fascinating.
Performed to a crowd, the songs take on new
life and transform into warped versions of the
recorded tracks, meaning every show is a unique
organism, and that is why I and everyone else in
the room will take the opportunity to see them
whenever we can.
Alastair Dunn
POLAR BEAR
Leafcutter John – Dead Hedge Trio
Bam!Bam!Bam! @ The Kazimier
Of Montreal (David Gleave / northernfacephoto.com)
OF MONTREAL
Holy Family
everisland @ The Kazimier
Since the release of their debut album
Cherry Peel in 1997, OF MONTREAL have been
a constantly evolving animal. Impossible to
pin down and always surprising, their startling
array of output over the past eighteen years has
been matched by a propensity for absurd live
shows. At one such performance Kevin Barnes
appeared on the stage riding a horse, and these
exhibitionist tendencies have become a part of
the myth. However, at tonight's show we see a
more subtle and, dare I say, mature, display from
Barnes' band, but before that Swedish threepiece HOLY FAMILY grace us with their presence.
Clearly emanating from the same psychedelic
pop territory as the headliners, Holy Family are
a web of off-kilter melodies and clever guitar
parts. Simply structured and memorable, their
songs have a naive quality that seem to stem
from a love of melody. Scandinavians have a
history of producing brilliant pop-song writers,
and these guys are part of a new wave that
includes the likes of Kate Boy and Little Dragon.
In terms of musical generations, Of Montreal
came into existence as part of one of the
most influential groups of the 90s, that being
the Elephant Six Collective. As they descend
the stairs to the stage, it is apparent from the
furore that this legacy – as well as their own,
unique identity – has afforded them a large and
enthusiastic following. With a new cast the Of
Montreal party is definitely in town, but there is
a sense that the days of outlandish costumes
and cabaret-esque personas are in the past and
bidolito.co.uk
what we get instead is a more subdued but
equally enthralling display. With found footage
and stylish animation projected behind them,
they meander through an array of songs which
encompasses much of their back catalogue.
Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse is a
highlight and sees the near-capacity crowd
burst into movement, and it is surprising how
many of those present manage to sing along
considering the complex, labyrinthine nature of
Barnes' lyrics.
It's apparent from the start that most people
are there to dance, and so when the set lulls
for a time in the middle there is a slight decline
in attention from the crowd. But with the first
strains of Bunny Ain’t No Rider the atmosphere
is restored.
For first-timers like myself