Emil Blake traverses the minimalism.
Showcasing the work of non-classical minimalism with the work of contemporary composers like Steve Reich, John Adam and Dutch pianist Louis Andriessen in a rock club in Shoreditch is a bold move indeed by XOYO. Judging by the age groups and attire of those attending it’s fair to say that there is an even mix of classical fans and younger gig-goers - chin-stroking is of course, optional. Tonight’s offering is a non-classical minimalism event with American composer Steve Reich’s work as its focal point. Reich’s work has had a major influence on contemporary music, particularly his use of tape loops and ‘phasing’, which has made him one of the eminent post-war composers.
While one or two informed conversations about the work on offer tonight can be heard, many of those here are unfamiliar with what’s being played but have come through curiosity and intrigue rather than via the pull of the unconventional. The first act on stage, Aisha Orazbayeva, performs Reich’s ‘Violin Phase’, a one-bar violin loop which then enables her to riff with and go in and out of sync with the rhythm. Who knew that so much could be done with one bar of music?
There’s a twelve-piece orchestra performing John Adams’ Chamber Symphony of three movements: ‘Mongrel Airs’, ‘Aria with Walking Bass’ and ‘Roadrunner’. This suite continues the intensity, with jerky, aggressive yet playful compositions.
With the orchestra out of the way, the audience collectively relaxes a touch, moving closer to the stage as the DJ’s music loosens limbs and formalities. By the time clarinetist Mark Simpson takes the stage, there are two men in the crowd groovin’ like dogs in need of worming. Reich’s ‘New York Counterpoint’ is a dissonant and awkward 11-minute piece, with an uncomfortable time signature that leads the listener on, only to break off sporadically. In a similar fashion to Reich’s ‘Violin Phase’ performed earlier, this involves Simpson playing over a pre-recorded track.
Andreissen’s ‘Workers Union’ tonight is by a seven-piece but can be played by any number of musicians. This piece soars and flutters like a spring morning and is perhaps the highlight of the musical performances: along with the Chamber Symphony it’s the most interesting.
Although beautifully moving, many of the pieces test the audience with their odd time structures and dissonance. People seem at a loss to know when to offer its polite applause as the end isn’t clear until the cellist gives the nod and an awkward smile.
Richard Lannoy is at the decks and starts off his set with The Orb classic ‘Little Fluffy Clouds’, which brings some sharp pop relief into a two-hour set of interesting yet challenging music. While Lannoy spins the tunes, clarinettist Mark Simpson returns to the stage to do some incredibly impressive freeform playing over DJ Lannoy’s set, which has elements of techno, trance and ambient - although the audience saves its warmest response of the evening for the ten minute solo. Lannoy then brings the 45-minute journey to an end, bringing ‘Little Fluffy Clouds’ back in one more time before handing over to Glasgow’s J.D. Twitch from legendary duo Optimo, to finish the night off with minimalist set with just enough funk to allow this evening’s stragglers to strut their stuff on the now semi-empty dance floor.
While XOYO is home to up-and-coming pop and rock acts with a certain level of recognition, tonight the classical and the technological have been beautifully and thoughtfully melded together to create an engaging and thought-provoking evening.
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