It’s been a horrible week, I’m not sure my heart is in this, but music heals right? I believe so. It’s like magic, especially when conjured by someone like Yves Tumor. He’s an interesting artist, truly entertaining and creates a real melting pot of a sound that will really keep you on your toes. He plays everything, although tonight he’s joined by a full band, so don’t worry he’s not got cymbals strapped to his knees. It’s worth a little description of his attire though. As the crowd roar, he takes to the stage in the sort of effortlessly cool stage wear that would terrify your grandma. He’s dressed immaculately in leather… I think, there’s a shit ton of smoke, a mesh top, cyberpunk wig and of course sunglasses. He looks cool, let’s put it that way and this is cool music. So cool I’m intrigued to see how it comes across live. The albums are an odd mix of chin stroking sonic trickery and absolute bangers. The crowd do seem a bit muted to start. ‘In Spite of War’ gets things going though. Lyrics like “Everyone told me your a creep” delivered with menace. It’s got pace too and that always helps a reluctant crowd. Not relunctaht for long though, it’s not long before the air is being punched by hundreds of fists, as lyrics are screamed back (out of tune down my ear at one point). There’s definitely something TVOTR about them, but with more of a beautifully twisted soul and less on the guitars. In fact they feel quite pushed back in the mix. The drums wallop as you’d expect, but a lot of room is left for his voice which is gorgeous. ‘Fear Evil Like Fire’ is sublime. Not slow exactly, but with a soft warmth it ushers a calm over the room, with a sort of transfixed adoration rather than boredom. ‘Lovely Sewer’ ramps it up again. The bass is back and that sexy sultry vocal lashing out lines like “You can start a war just for the feeling”. It’s a set pulled largely from the latest album and its predessor. This is a good thing, not that the earlier records aren’t good, but they’re more experimental and I’m not sure how a crowd this size would react. They do start to chat when some tinges of this side come through and it’s bloody annoying as they sound fantastic. Loops and synths taking prominence as a blissed out vibe takes over. The lad dressed in rockabilly gear at the back grabs a tambourine, Yves straps on a guitar and we’re off on a sun drenched road trip, that is until someone passes out and they stop the song. Thankfully everyone’s okay and they start over. I’m surprised how often this seems to be happening at gigs at the moment though. People passing out seems to be on the rise. Drink more water! The Ruby Rhod character from The Fifth Element is perhaps is a cruel comparison, but think about that energy and you’re getting part way there. Especially on ‘Super Stars’ with its deadly backline and guitars that keeping feeding back. ‘Meteora Blues’ follows and fuck me, it’s stunning. The grunge guitar, breakbeat rhythm, the vocals that rise in emotion whilst staying perfect cool. It’s the anchor to an already blinding set. This is the melting pot thing I mentioned earlier. ‘Parody’ being another good example. Part lounge cool, part alt rock juggernaut. It’s even got a fucking guitar solo. I don’t really want it to stop, but they’ve sparked up there and are on a roll. Letting songs twist into each other as the strobe lights kick. I do love strobe lighting. I lap up the heavier stuff, but some seem unsure how to move. Fair enough, there’s something for everyone here. Maybe it’s an age thing, I think I’m pushing up the average tonight. ‘Operator’ unites the room with its industrial bounce. I thought it would go off, but it’s played thick with lots of samples and with Yves working the pit, without the focal point on stage everyone seems to get lost. Even with the “Be aggressive” refrain which he tries to get everyone in on, with some success. Banging his head with the mic, I think he wants more from us as they depart. The floor vibrates with the pounding of a thousand feet, ushering them back for an encore that starts with ‘Jackie’. It’s a nice ease back in as it builds up. Leading nicely to ‘Kerosene!’ It’s a sultry anthemic monster that feels like a worthy set closer, but that’s left to ‘Ebony Eye’, which is apocalyptic. Couples hold one another. The room fluid, moving as one. Someone farts and makes my eyes water, it’s clearly all too much. As we relinquish collective control. There are songs that struggle and the crowd could be more engaged, but it’s still a great night and a good start to the run of UK dates. Catch them if you can, they'll make you feel better.
