Beak> at (le)poisson rouge (photo by Kevin McGann)
Last week the Bristol, UK-based experimental electronic trio known as BEAK> invaded NYC’s (le) Poisson Rouge. They’re currently on a tour that brought band members Geoff Barrow (drums), Billy Fuller (bass) and Will Young (keyboards) back to the US for the first time in 4 years.
Fresh from their recent performance at LA’s Primavera Sound festival, LPR provided a more intimate setting for this skilled trio of seasoned music veterans. And as good as the music was, the in between song banter was hysterical as they quite enjoy taking the piss out of each other. These are clearly three individuals who genuinely have a good time playing together and collectively create some really exciting music. Tracks like “Oh Know,” the haunting sounds of “Eggdog,” and the menacing grooves of “Wulfstan” and “Brean Down” really showcase the talent of this group to create their own brand of minimalist, lo-fi, analog, anti-pop goodness.
Opening for Beak was Litronix who is actually LA native Kevin Litrow. What looked to be a more subdued set with just Litrow, his guitar and keyboard on stage, turned out to be a wild ride. Mixing elements of analog synth, guitar, sequenced sounds, and vocals that were as volatile as his performance, it was a one man tour de force performance. One minute he was standing at his keyboard, an LED screen scrolling words, and giving an almost 80’s Laurie Anderson Home of the Brave vibe, and the next he was contorting his body as he unleashed on his guitar. I believe he said it was his first time back in NYC performing as Litronix in 14 years—hopefully we don’t have to wait as long for the next show.
BEAK>’s latest, Kosmik Musik, was released last week on Temporary Residence Ltd and if you happen to be in London on October 25th make sure to catch them.
Scroll down for setlist, fanshot videos and pics of the show (photos by Kevin McGann)
Setlist: The Brazilian, Brean Down, Egg Dog, Yatton, The Meader, When We Fall, Kenn, RSI, Allé Sausage, Wulfstan, Oh Know, No Comprende (Low cover), Blagdon Lake
LITRONIX