Contrary to popular belief, I am actually allowed out on my own. Here are some recent-ish music events I have attended while I've been allowed out.
Kraftwerk's multimedia tour was klingfully klangtastic. Ralf Hütter led his team of robots through a stonking greatest hits, the highlight being the terrifying Radioactivity (pictured) with its massive nuclear visuals and their tear-jerking cover version of Ryuchi Sakamoto's Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence.
I've just got back from The Black Lights, a multi-venue festival in Blackpool put on by Manchester's White Hotel. I'm going to hold my powder dry – is that the phrase? – and save my review for Electronic Sound. However, there is one thing I want to say. Seagulls are massive, aren't they. Seaside seagulls are right old heffers. If one landed on your head, you'd be pancaked in seconds.
There was a brilliant night of dark synthwave at the Peer Hat basement club in Manchester. It featured Berlin's statuesque RUHR alongside Newcastle's Vigilance State and Manchester EBMist Cyber Corp. It was organised by Romantic Fiction (Berlin) and Solid Pleasure (Manchester), and if you like your synths all punkish and raw, keep an eye out for a second iteration of the night in September.
Shout out too to re:shape, an event which brings back the spirit of those classic chillout nights that combine analogue synth noodles with other artforms. In the past, re:shape has brilliantly paired live bleeps with vintage cartoon films, while their May event teamed spoken word artists with electronic music makers. I got to perform a weird fiction piece over the analogue washes of Oscillioscope and it was proper fun. The next event is on 24 July.
Marconi Union put on an ace ambient extravaganza at Manchester's The Yard, a wonderful venue just beyond Manchester Arena. MU were melodic and thrilling, and I loved the new layout of The Yard. Support came from Apta and Antonymes. UB40 were playing the Arena the same night – I had to elbow my way through the crowds – but I reckon I made the right choice. They don't even have Ali Campbell any more. Come to think of it, Marconi Union don't have Ali Campbell either, so I guess things are even.
What else? Oh yeah. there was Sounds From The Other City, Salford's multi-venue grassroots music festival, which is always a social highlight of the year. I ended up seeing Zolatec twice because I am totally down for anyone who combines electronics with steel drum. Her cover of the Prodigy's Out Of Space was a festival highlight.
And there was also Outwards Festival with Orbital and The Orb – a joyous occasion which saw The Grid's first performance since the passing of David Ball, and Tom Middleton playing some of his classic Global Communication ambient bangers. The event was dampened only by the rain and the over-officious security staff. Honestly guys, if you're going to have bag restrictions, mention them in advance – you owe me the £15 taxi ride I had to take to store my bag. Pfffrt.
I am now very tired and will spend the whole of July asleep.
Further Fats: Banjo beats 'n' techno treats – oh my goodness, it's The Grid (2024)
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