Bonobo
27th July 2017
The Town Hall, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Jordan M Vickers.
There are few shows these days that can be described as a perfect ten but last night’s performance by Bonobo at The Auckland Town Hall was in serious danger of running away with the title. The concert had been sold out for weeks on end, with good reason too. Bonobo is revered for his almost spiritual live performances, and considering that in his eighteen year career he has only been here once before for a DJ set in 2015, fans were determined not to miss out.
But to ensure that everyone is warmed up and in the mood, Archie Fairhurst aka Romare has arrived to play a solo set. With a desk covered in a huge array of equipment in front of him, Romare appeared to be the epitome of the mad professor, hunched over deep in thought as his hands constantly moved back and forth. He remained bathed mostly in darkness, some minimal spotlights above him moving in regimental fashion, illuminating Romare for fleeting moments as his truly hypnotic music washed over the fans pressed together on the dance floor.
What was wondrously unique about Romare tonight was the fact that his entire set was built live before us. Using techniques such as looping old keyboards and then folding in synths while adding drum breaks in plentiful dashes, he created something truly distinctive. Upon the end of his set, Romare stepped out from behind the desk and waggled his hand as if to ask if that was ok, the audience’s loud and enthusiastic applause letting him know quickly that indeed it was – Romare responding with a shy smile and thumbs up.
People were now flooding into each of the three levels of the Town Hall, chattering excitedly amongst themselves, many already dancing to the beat inside their own heads. The stage itself whispered promises of what was to come; an impressive drum kit and several separate music stands for the highly anticipated live band placed strategically on risers, utilizing all available space.
As the lights dimmed those on the already heavily laden dance floor pressed a few precious inches closer as they watched Bonobo, dressed in a simple short sleeved shirt and black jeans, take up centre-position. Slowly the rest of the stage was filled with musicians; a four piece string section, a two piece brass section, not to mention a drummer, keyboardist and guitarist and that doesn’t even include some of the guest artists who would flow on and off the stage throughout the night!
Already excitement was welling up before a single note had been played.
For those who are unfamiliar with his work, Simon Green aka Bonobo is not just another Producer/Dj. The now LA based British born musician has released six albums (the latest being Migration) since beginning his career in 99’. He is well known for melding together beautiful soundscapes – his on stage performances incorporating visuals and live singers etc. In other words, you have to experience him live to truly appreciate what it is that he does.
It seemed logical to begin the set with ‘Migration’ as it certainly felt as if we as a collective gathering of human hearts and minds were about to begin a journey over the landscape of Bonobo’s world. A large screen featuring swirling lights that formed patterns that then folded back in on themselves adding to the feeling of being absorbed into the performance. Bonobo is a man of many talents, a bass guitar slung over his shoulder, he deftly moves between plucking at its strings and twiddling knobs on the small mixing board to his side. Other times he conducts the string section with fluid hand movements before then playing the keyboards just in front of him. It is difficult to describe just how seamless this layering of live instruments and electronics really is; the acoustics of the town hall only adding to the sumptuousness of it all.
“Thank you Auckland!” Bonobo addresses the crowd, before inviting the charming singer Szjerdene on stage to sing both ‘Break Apart’ and ‘Towers’, the audience transfixed by this barefooted beauty whose dress appeared to have been dipped into the edges of a rainbow, the colours catching the eye as she swayed. Bonobo followed this up with a quadruple hit of ‘Prelude/Kiara/Ten Tigers/Kong’ many of the seated audience members moving to the sides so that they could give their bodies over freely to the music. The African beats of ‘Bambro Koyo Ganda’ had the entire dance floor throbbing in time to the tribal undertones, while tracks such as ‘No Reason’ flowed like cooling water around the venue.
Each song performed was absolutely faultless, the string section adding emotional depth on one track while a flutist impressively added to the funky undercurrents of another. The stunning light show was so intricately designed and synchronized that it took on a life of its own, highlighting pivotal moments before cradling you in its soft glow. It blended beautifully with the on screen visuals that incorporated everything from lava moving down a mountain to lights chasing each other across a scorched earth, once again the theme of Migration being strongly felt.
All too soon we had arrived at the end of the set; bare lights illuminating the stage for a few brief moments so that Bonobo and his band could be seen clearly and thanked generously by the audience. Encores were graciously delivered, Szjerdene magnificent as she sang ‘Transits’.
A perfect ten indeed.
Were you there at The Auckland Town Hall for this absolutely mindblowing electronic show? Or have you seen Bonobo perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!