Unknown Mortal Orchestra absolutely blew the house down at Shepherds Bush Empire last night. It was the third time I have seen them and they have now entered the realm of musical freedom. They interact intuitively and their enjoyment rebounds onto the audience. Gone is Ruban Nielson's poncho from the Electric Ballroom almost two years ago, which gave the sense of a musical outlaw taking on the world. Then, it was all about him and his guitar playing - brilliant as it is - with the drummer and bassist relegated to the supporting cast, but with the poncho being replaced by an off kilter, spray painted baseball cap and three quarter length baggy shorts, he is obviously more relaxed and at ease with the idea of fronting a band.
The gig at Islington Assembly Hall in May saw them become a proper group, with the addition of a keyboard player, who takes the Multi Love album someplace else and expands their sound. The Islington gig took place literally a week or so after Multi Love's release, so they were testing new material on the audience. That music is now embedded in their show, the band know it is loved and they are able to fully express themselves.
I am going to take a slight diversion at this point to say that I am considering setting up a Face Book page called Middle Aged Men Who Go To Gigs On Their Own. Stood to my right, as if we had naturally gravitated towards one another, was such a kindred spirit. He had a bald head, beard and moustache and wore glasses. To this guy's right was another one of us, a man with a carefully waxed moustache and round glasses. I have neither glasses nor facial hair and my barnet is in full tact but I was indeed a middle aged man at a gig on his own. After the gig, the bald MAMOHO gave me a knowing pat on my shoulder and I returned the gesture. Not a word passed between us but we knew we were part of an exclusive club.
Back to the gig.
A great live band takes their music way beyond what you hear on the record. I saw Alt-J at Brixton Academy a couple of years ago and I may as well have stayed at home and played the CD really loudly.
UMO on the other hand have that spark, a connection with the audience and they expand on their tracks. The extended funky jams and forays into new sounds and arrangements have become an essential part of the show.
At Islington Assembly Hall, the drummer, Riley Geare (see HSD Image,) played a long raucous, wild drum solo in which he kicked over part of his drum kit. This time round, his kit was secure and his solo mesmerising. At Islington, Ruban's brother Kody was the support act. At one point he wandered off stage and into the crowd, whilst singing, hi-5ing all and sundry, then taking the stairs to continue his song, stood amongst the crowd on the balcony. Last night it was big brothers turn to climb the speaker stack, take a detour into the crowd, before taking the stairs to perch on the edge of the balcony, all the while not missing a word or dropping a note.
This was then followed by a music hall, knees up Mother Brown style, clap along piano solo, from the keyboard player Quincy McRary. The stuff of genius.
Musically the band are together. It is not all about Ruban anymore, although he is obviously a hugely talented front man, with an incredibly soulful voice, an ability to reach a very high range, whilst his guitar playing can take on mind blowing proportions. I think the bass player, Jake Portrait deserves the opportunity to fly solo with some far out bass vibes!!
The bands major attribute is that they have great variety of sound across three albums, from the fuzz fuelled Funny Friends and Thought Ballune on the self titled debut, to the gorgeous From The Sun and So Good At Being In Trouble off the second album 11. On Multi Love, the latest album, tracks range from a more direct pop feel, such as the storming Can't Keep Checking My Phone, which had everyone bouncing to the final encore track of the night, to the gently thumping groove of Necessary Evil (see HSD Tune,) the first encore track, complete with Flugelhorn and swathes of organ.
Another Facebook group that may well be set up is Middle Aged Men Who take Their Offspring To Gigs, as a friend of mine did last night. My eldest son is only a few months away from the legal gig age of fourteen, so that could be a window to the future...
