K&D session at Roundhouse London

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Last Friday night saw a bunch of us head to the Roundhouse in Camden for dynamic Austrian duo Kruder and Dorfmeister.

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The ultra-cool bass-loving production geniuses hit the Roundhouse for their first ever London live show! Known for redefining the art of the remix as much as their originals, they showcased why they've attained their international status, coming as they do from a country with a rich history of musical innovation.

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The set they played was awesome. The visuals were the best I've seen all year (if not in the last few...) and the vibe was, well, slightly older and discerning. I could write a review, but David Taylor from the Guardian has done a much better job than I ever could...

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"There's always a concern when producers opt to swap the dark anonymity and hermit-like existence of the recording studio for the bright lights of a "live" stage. Just what are we punters to expect? Electronic music by its very nature involves little in the way of live instrumentation – and everything to the mastery of manipulating banks of coloured knobs in grey boxes. It's hardly an enticing proposition for the traditional gig-goer.

Step forward Kruder & Dorfmeister, Austrian uber-producers and the ice cool duo behind G-Stone recordings. The label's trademark bass-heavy but lush tunes are as likely to be played as background to a hip dinner party than at an underground club. And judging by the largely 30-something crowd politely exchanging small talk before the lights dimmed at the Roundhouse, dessert rather than dancing appears to be a more pressing concern to some.

But, as soon as the first dull throb of bass punches through the darkness and MC Earl Zinger bowls on to the stage, the venue is transformed into the coolest of clubs.

K&D take centre stage amid a constantly morphing, at times retina-scarring light show, that puts just about every other electronica act to shame. The breathtaking visuals provide the perfect psychedelic backdrop to a set that effortlessly blends the best of the pair's past, present and future tunes.

Kicking off with a version of Grandmaster Flash's "The Message" before taking in highlights from the classic K&D Sessions album – including superb remixes of Bomb the Bass's "Bug Powder Dust" and Depeche Mode's "Useless" – the duo effortlessly engage the crowd.

Throw in a tongue-in-cheek encore of "Let it Be" – with the lyrics changed to "speaking words of wisdom – K&D", and you can't help but leave the gig with a smile on your face and a spring in your step."

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Lovebox weekender 2009

Gary Numan on the main stage

Gary Numan on the main stage

the Groove Armada finale on main stage

Main stage saturday avo

The slide sunday avo. A lot less peeps during the day on sunday

The slide landing strip

Gaymers cider tree house

Noah & the Whale, Gaymers stage on sunday

Ladyhawke, main stage sunday

Ladyhawke, main stage sunday

Gaymers cider tree house

Gaymers stage sunday avo

Frankmusik, Gaymers stage sunday

Florence & the machine, main stage, saturday

Florence & the machine, main stage, saturday

Duran Duran, Main stage, saturday

Mr Le bon, Bond Le Bon, Duran Duran main stage saturday final act

Not sure if this was Bombay Bicycle Club or Datarock?

Crowd scene, saturday

Main stage for Florence & the machine, saturday avo

Bombay Bicycle Club, Gaymers stage, sunday

Well, that time of year again - time for Lovebox. Another goodie, my third in as many years, and this one was as good as they always are. Great line-up of new acts, up and coming acts, and acts of gargantuan nostalgic proportions.

Previous 'mature' line-ups have included Debby Harry & Blondie, B52s (the first ever international gig I went to back in the early 80s), The Human League, The Flaming Lips, Soul 2 Soul, Sly & the Family Stone etc. This years blasts from the past were the pioneer of electronic music Gary Numan and poptastic legend Duran Duran. Absolutely classic.

Weather was a real mixed bag this year, but the great bands, good friends and up for it crowd eclipsed all that. Stand out performance for me was re-living my 80s introduction to electronica at Gary Numan on the main stage, and dancing my tits off to Tom Maddicot's very dirty and bass-heavy dj set in the Relentless zone.

I haven't sorted out through the photos yet, and I know Yorick's got some great photos and vid, especially from the Groove Armada finale, but I'll sort all that out later. Here's some to get you in the mood in the mean time.

Special thanks to Russell Smith, Brixton Dave, Justin Ng, Huckle 26, Justin Brice, Luguber, Carsten Windhorst, idrewuk and Emily from flickr.com for help with this set of pics.
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Charlie Ash play the Rhythm Factory

Ben, Mailee, and Rosie at the Russian Bar post gig

Rosie rides Rupert (like the donkey he is) during the final track

Ah, a kissy kissy moment with Rosie

Had a great time at the Charlie Ash gig last night. They put on a free gig for friends at the Rhythm Factory in Whitechapel Road. This was their last London gig as they're off to Paris today, followed by Germany, but will be back to London for a few days of R&R before returning to NZ. They supported Ladyhawk last week, which, by all accounts went off.

It was great catching up with Rosie and Mailee - who I know from my Radio@ctive days - over a drink before the gig, as well as a host of ex-pats. The show was short but sweet, and included Rosie's cheeky banter, all of their electro synth poptastic hits, some swinging from the lighting rig, and even some crowd riding (Rupert was the lucky donkey selected for that treat during the finale. Good times indeed.

Followed that up by a trip to the Russian Bar in Kingsland Road for some crazy dancing and more crew catch ups. Was lovely to see them again and catch up with the news from home. Go Go C. ash crew...
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Eat Static at Inspiral Lounge

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Last night Yorick managed to convince me to go to the Inspiral Lounge on the banks of the Camden cana for the Eat Static 20 year anniversary gig. I was familiar with the band - I'd been into their weird experimental electronic meanderings from the early 90's, so it was a blast from the past. Eat Static used to be a 3 piece (Merv Pepler, Joie Hinton and Steve Everitt), but now stripped down to one (Merv).

Inspiral is a great little space - intimate lounge bar/cafe upstairs and another little lounge space downstairs, which you can access the canal bank from for more outdoor water side action. This place is straight from Amsterdam, and is certain to go off in summer with a roof top deck as well.

We got to meet Merv before the gig, and he was a top bloke. Well edgy and the obvious result of 20 years of chemical experimentation. His set was top notch, and we had a great time.

Put your hands up for... crowd shots

Came across some great gig crowd shots on a friends site the other night (thanks Lionel - Ha!) I think they're from the Boyznoize gig?