Koko
London
Words by Ash Meikle
Photos by Abbey Braden
Walking in from a freezing cold night still thawing off, the temperature in Koko can only be described as a backlash of unforgiving heat from the belly of the venue. Instant sweat engulfed my brow and it was literally dripping with condensation from the roof of the picturesque venue. It’s evident that Baltimore’s Animal Collective are now established in the UK, the floor already crammed front to back with eager fans waiting for the American experimentalists to adorn the stage.
So walking in midway through Charles Hayward’s set was an intriguing sight. The middle aged mans one-man-physical-percussion-attack accompanies his melancholy rock, acted as a perfect onset. Hayward’s show oozing oddity in abundance. Haunting electronics that swirl around the venue in an intoxicating manner. He’s definitely a fascinating proposition and custom made to open for Animal Collective tonight. His most significant song ‘That Distant Light’ is laid upon a bed of drone organs and his vocals emit like a gothic Morrissey. Wonderfully compelling until he leaves somewhat premature.
With the venue a sell-out and every fan tussling with the next to see over the nine foot giants that seem to have congregated at the front of the stage. It’s clear my ears are obviously going to be my primary sense tonight. Above, there are people literally hanging from the balcony. Everyone waits with great anticipation. One in which I have been looking forward to since Panda Bear’s critically acclaimed solo album last year (Person Pitch). Now with the Collective’s ninth album Merriweather Post Pavilion out it seems after their steady rise they are beginning to reap the rewards. Rewards that these shy experimental pysch-electro demons deserve.
On a kaleidoscopic back drop the trio begin with opener ‘In Flowers’ with gradual uplifting beats they regresses back hypnotically. From this the gigantic Animal Collective merge begins, each song fusing together to create one giant journey through their pool of songs. ’Daily routine’ spirals out of control with ‘Brother Sport’ enthused with it’s afrobeat texture and bone churning chorus get’s the crowd moving at last.
Their sonic beats never cease, they are relentless and merciless with their assault. Geologist looks like the in-house-miner with Panda Bear and Avey Tare roofed by their trademark hoodies. The euphoric ‘My Girl’s’ is accompanied by snow flaked strobes swirling round Koko with it’s crackling samples. The irony is the rapturous blast of music they produce is eccentric, yet they are notably introverted. No interaction with the enthralled crowd at all. Merely a request to the guitar tech mid-set, were the only words mumbled out of the realms of their otherworldly songs.
You just get swept along by the whole show. Their polyrhythms and melodies are crackling juggernauts, yet feel more accessible on record than here tonight. It’s like drinking undiluted orange juice sometimes with their music. However, there’s something remotely ingenious and utterly delectable about their submerged psychedelic pop. Their dreamy exterior, dance euphoria and afro-beat affiliations all add to a band that are ascending as quick as the arpeggio’s in their songs. An ever evolving band, genre-bending technicians that densely cultivate their sounds. Truly an out of body experience!
