iChillout – The UK Tour: Birmingham
October 28th, 2003 by susanna
The journey to Birminghams Medicine Bar for the final date of the Big Chill’s iChillout Tour was not without incident. Between home and the station, passing a retirement home, I saw a wrinkled face peering from a high window and chanced a wave. To my suprise the wave came back. My smile lasted for the rest of the evening.
Friendly faces greeted us at the venue and, as it slowly filled, Bruce Bickerton and Pete Lawrence soothed our work-weary heads with their beautiful sounds (familiar to those who care to search), while the Ombudsman, Amukidi and B’ham’s own Myogenic visual treats played above the stage.
The main room of this venue, which covers three floors of the justly famous Custard Factory, was beautifully coated in projections of autumn’s rich palate of rusty reds, yellows and blue skies. Hints utterly ″English’ melodies followed and – despite only having heard them once before – I immediately found myself humming to his infectious, but laidback, grooves. Trumpton came to mind, as I remember mentioning at least once.
After another DJ led excursion through bouncy reggae and more, the headliners Ralph Myerz & The Jack Herren Band take to the stage. And in no uncertain terms. During the summer I had heard many enthusiastic murmurings of them, but I was still in the dark as to what to expect – to my discredit I had missed their allegedly legendary set at Eastnor.
Wow! They launch into an amazing set with gusto and then some. The drummer, percussionist, guitarist and piano/effects master create an almighty sound and the crowd, which has now swollen to fill the room, are jumping amidst the beautiful swirl of noise and light.
I love a good boogie. But I rarely find music that hits ALL the right buttons, and often find myself adding breaks and off beats in my head or with my legs. however, for three consecutive tracks these boys hit them all! As a result all I can really say is – ‘wow!’
Melodic, rocking, funky sounds with enthusiasm and presence to match, I haven’t felt so much energy from a live act or a DJ before, and not for want of trying! Afterwards, slightly worse for wear, and with shredded rug everywhere, Bruce wound us gently down. But it was the smiles on the faces of punters and the acts alike saying it all, a stunning end to a great tour. Now – to get hold of that album!
Nest-o-Celery
iChilled out in Nottingham says Soyo
iChilled out in London says Susanna
iChill: the compilation. Buy it here!
[galleryurl=http://www.bigchill.net/gallery.html?id=34]iChillout Tour: Cargo pictures[/galleryurl]
