News / / 30.05.13

Bonobo

The Ritz, Manchester | May 22nd

After twelve years of concocting ambient meets experimentally electronic works to polished, poignant perfection, Bonobo has earned a reputation for being at the top of his craft. And Simon Green still manages to feel to his fans as something of a superior artist, someone who hasn’t quite made the conventional mainstream growth jump. His recent fifth album The North Borders shows us here at Manchester’s Ritz why he could potentially be archived as an artist to be remembered for generations to come.

Opening with Cirrus, the first single since his three-year hiatus, the audience is directly absorbed into Green’s level of twirling, all-encompassing consciousness. Live drums, which can often over power such electronica, only surge forward the African-infused beats and atmospheric chimes, amassing into a paradise of jubilation. Talk about having a crowd exactly in the palm of your hand. But remember, this isn’t just the start, this is the starter.

As the first whirrs of Towers permeate the two-tier setting, local illusive character EMN flourishes the visuals on stage with his kaleidoscopic, trailblazing graphic workings and Szjerdene’s live vocal supplements sounds as though her surges of soul have risen up from the deepest, sassiest origins. Oh and what about stepping-up to cover duties on the Erykah Badu sang Heaven For The Sinner? Incredible doesn’t even cut it, as coils of soothing funk stun to the core. But it’s the classics of Kiara, with its breath-taking string sets and bass-driven trips that explode with illuminating radiance. Carnival-injected guitar chords and fidgety woodworks on We Could Forever exuberate celebration on a mighty scale. We take note that this isn’t just about where Green has been and already established, it’s about the here, now and what the future holds for prospering beyond commercial rapidity and doing things at one’s own agenda. And looking at The North Borders live show, this certainly is nothing short of a sensational new height for Bonobo.

– – – – – – – – – –

Words: Leah Connolly

 

CONNECT TO CRACK