Review:
'TV ON THE RADIO'
'London, ICA Theatre, 6th March 2006'
- Genre: 'Rock'
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Our Rating:
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Ingenuity, inspiration and invention. And there are your buzzwords kids. So it’s not quite the three R’s but where did they ever get you? Back after last years cancelled show as a result of front man Tunde Adebimpe's fathers passing, the fourth word tonight is: anticipation. ’Anybody see anything interesting today?’ Tunde enquires, ‘I saw a one eyed film maker.’ Perhaps this is where they draw their inspiration from?
This is music in its purest form and sees TV ON THE RADIO in their element.Definition comes via the live performance and their essence is grasped through the speakers. They’re a band who’ve got soul. Not the dance floor sliding Northern soul or the feel good power of Motown, but soul born of an active conscience. Tunde’s dramatic, unwavering vocals transcend a backdrop of vaporous electronics and burning guitar designed to puncture a little bit of the heart as well as the ear drums.
It’s a testament to their musicianship that they near replicate what’s heard on record as well as adding a few live touches of their own. Some poor guy was so mesmerised he tried dancing but only succeeded in a) looking a complete twat and b) pulling off a convincing impersonation of David Byrne with epilepsy.
Between song conversations are punctuated by Tunde’s country & western whistling interludes whilst the random hurling of water over the unsuspecting front rows seems to give him some playfully eccentric satisfaction. Soulfully soothing but with a resounding impact slightly reminiscent of the driven delivery of Saul Williams, Tunde is the catalyst for everything great emanating from the stage tonight. In a short set primarily made up of older material, ’Satellites’ determinedly buzzes and stamps in a sonic meld of guitar and electro rhythm whilst the downbeat ‘Young Liars’ wholeheartedly lurches and soars courtesy of his ethereal yelps and the searing dual guitar of David Sitek and Kyp Malone.
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The rapport between Tunde and Kyp is one of the nervous energy of At the Drive In and the easy going nature of We Are Scientists. Relaxed and playful, the afro bearded Malone spins and pirouettes as Tunde flamboyantly accentuates lyrics with frenzied hand gestures. Despite a near flawless performance the ebb and flow of inspiration did lull as a result of electronic dalliances,demonstrating why they remain flirtatiously inaccessible to some but enticingly endearing to others.
The punchy, upbeat reworking of the lamenting melancholy of ‘Ambulance’ was surprisingly rewarding as Sitek downed the axe to beat box as Kyp and Tunde a cappella’d their way through for a resounding finale. With so many facets to their sound it was a show worth waiting for and with improvisation as the new buzzword, tonight as ever, TV on the Radio were simply breathtaking.
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author: Reef Conroy
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READERS COMMENTS
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They are brilliant, aren't they!
Hahaha, I've seen them twice. First time at Manchester Roadhouse I was mesmerised - second time, at Night & Day (there's a review on here) I was the only one dancing!! This involved one grappled hand placed on top of my head, my other arm twisting the other hand towards the speakers. Craziness personified and completely lost in it I was! I couldn't move my feet, 'cos it was too packed, but I would have done!! Ha harr!
Smashing review, Thanks!
------------- Author: Mabs
05 August 2006
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