Stepping away from the Metal entirely, this time, with post-rock/prog quartet IDIOGRAM finally hosting the release show for their (very) long-awaited debut album, 'Reunion of Broken Parts'
Line-up:
SLY DIG: A twiddler of knobs, a maker of excellent hypnotic ambient electronic soundscapes. Mostly quiet, occasionally loud. Nice swirly visuals on the wall behind.
MATILDA BROWN: Windswept folk/jazz/drone, visuals by Farhad Ahmed. Meatloaf/Streisand covers not included.
IDIOGRAM: Never been entirely sure how to neatly describe IDIOGRAM. They do instrumental, jazz-flavoured proggy post-rock. With bits of other stuff. Anyway, they're here to launch their 'new' album, an album which has been gestating since before Covid, at least six years, and tonight they're going to play it in full. And they do.
(Before I go on, I must relate a bizarre 'conversation' that occurred as I was waiting for Idiogram to come on. I was approached by an elderly man, who started the following exchange:
Old Man: Are you with the Drakes?
Me, baffled: Sorry, what?
O.M.: The Drakes. Are you with the Drakes?
Me, still baffled: I'm just a punter.
O.M. I'm just a punter too, but I don't want to get ripped off. Who owns all of this? (gestures around) Is it the London boys?
Me: Sorry, I have no idea.
O.M. I'll bet it's those London Boys. (wanders off)
Me: ???)
It's an impressive and ambitious show. The music is captivating, and the accompanying visuals - by SAM HEALY of BOARDGAME - fill the room with swirling, pulsating light. Idiogram look like a seasoned band who have been gigging for years, belying the truth that they've only played a handful of shows before. Also, I'd forgotten what a fine venue the Caves is. Great sound, great space.
