Its not often you get an invite to an album launch like the one held at Sketch, London's most ostentatious night-club. Celebrating the release of the second album from the Canadian born, Berlin based art-pop rapper extroidanire . But then with an intro like that this is no ordinary artist and neither is the album. ‘Are + Be', which is released this week is a somewhat laid back affair that melds 80's pop sensibilities with contemporary electro styling and laid-back often existential rapping. Enlisting the help of Kitty-Yo's awesome Taylor Savvy, Warps Jamie Lidell, Ad Hawk, Kevin Blechdom and the awesome Feist secures ‘Are + Be' an instant place as one of this years most enjoyable listening experiences. But the transfer to the stage was never going to be an easy one. Especially when you consider how sterile the electronic live experience can be when the transfer is complete. Even more so in today's climate where live bands like The Others, The Rakes and TV on the Radio dominate the hearts and minds of the gig-going community. Where most dance acts fail it was 's duty to succeed, but in the sterile environment of Sketch are man in the trenches already had a severe disadvantage.
So lubricating the crowd with free booze and canapé's courtesy of T-Mobile was a good start. Inviting London's premiere music and fashions whores was definitely a bad move, the indifference to the true fans was quite overwhelming at times and certainly hard to ignore. Asking Europe's most exciting remixes Tiefschwarz to provide DJ support seemed like a good move, but listening to Tiefscharz remix after Tiefscharz remix leaves you wondering if there is any other dance music out there other then Tiefschwaz remixes.
So where did this night go right? Luckily, where it should have, with live! Deciding to stay clear of the laptop and vocal set our hero went for as much of a live experience as he possibly could. Drums, keyboard, bass, vocals, electronic trumpets, laptops and puppets made for an interesting live set. Opening his set with ‘Crack a Smile' was almost a call to arms for the canapé-munching, fashion talking crowd. For the first few minutes the sound of the crowd raged a war over 's cries of ‘Come on Sketch...just crack a smile'. Despite the luke warm reception the performance was a strong introduction and a promise of only good things to come. Next up comes ‘Somewhere in Outaspace (Where I Belong)', a song with so much poignancy in this performance me and my friends were left spluttering champagne on each other. Displaying a strong comedy performance and a fantastic ability to actually be very good live, both in equal measure, while being completely ignored by the crowd must have left an impression on like the one left on the superior Alien beings that abducted redneck Timber worker Travis Walton back in the 70's. Not a good look.
In fact, this pretty much could have set the tone for the entire night. looked painfully disappointed, and it wasn't until the awesome ‘Mickey Mouse Mother $$$$ers' pounded through the PA, no bigger then a wedding DJ's, that the crowd really took the time to look towards the stage. Obviously impressed by what they saw, the dancing began and the whoops and whistles were now flowing as freely as the booze. From then on in it was textbook. Kevin Blechdom wooed the crowed with her formidable musical talents and whining singing voice. Ad Hawk out-does Frank Oz by providing the life and voice for a puppet duet with ...utter genius. Taylor Savvy steps from behind the drums to pump up the crowd...by...er...doing push ups. Later on he further consolidates his position as the most soulful white men on the planet during his performance of Catch a Moment in Time; tonight's version being the remix by Ewan Pearson - that's guys really lovely you know?
By the end of the show and Ad Hawk have grabbed most of the crowd on stage with them for a Chic style shake down. As far as debut live performances go, this one of the better ones. Proving that there is no crowd invincible to 's charm as a performer and as a songwriter. However, one can't help the feeling that if tonight's party had taken place at somewhere more appropriate like the fabulous Druzzis Baltimore Rave Club or the Infinity Club then we would have seen a performance to rival that of Jimi Tenor. As it happens, two days later does the same set at The Arches in Glasgow as support for Jimi Tenor. Guess what? blows him off the stage. Long live , down with misplaced Glitz.... let the feeling fight the good fight and the party will reign supreme!
Words By: Saz
Photography By: Giovanni Ferin
