Last Night: Autechre at The Mezzanine

Autechre, Massonix and DJ Rob Hall
April 5, 2008 at The Mezzanine
Review by Liz Iversen
Better than: The Wire, but not more intelligent.
Download: Opener Rob Hall’s Vanishing Point mix.

Imagine standing in pitch blackness in a packed 1,000-capacity venue as electronic music (booming like the apocalypse) sets the floor shaking—and you will have an idea what the Autechre show at Mezzanine was like last night. This marked the British IDM duo’s second US show promoting their latest release, Quaristice. Autechre’s music, devoid of obvious structure, makes the experience of a live show somewhat difficult to relate. It is a stream of complicated rhythms and percussive melodies, of building and tapering suspense, a constantly shifting soundscape whose turns are unpredictable.

In the darkness, the dimly lit faces of Sean Booth and Rob Brown are the only visuals offered during their set, and with not even a glowing Apple logo to fix one’s gaze upon, it is impossible to tell who is responsible for doing what. But the mystery only adds to the intrigue, and the austere atmosphere appears to have been the right choice: the crowd is able to focus more intently on the music, and in the darkness they respond to it unselfconsciously. When the beats lull, the crowd screams encouragement.

I will admit I was a bit worried during opener Rob Hall’s set. As the DJ sat tucked away on the far side of the stage with his laptop, the venue had the awkwardness of a high school dance. But Hall’s set was seamless: An ebb and flow of electronic and hip-hop, with soothing melodies, MC vocals, and percussive variants ranging from heavy bass beats to Caribbean-inspired xylophone tremolos. By the time he closed his set with “Words of a Freestyle,” the crowd was warmed up.

After a fade-out of lights and sound, Massonix (Graham Massey of 808 State) took the stage. His set started off darkly, with whispers and booming bass. Blending his skills of mixing with live instrumental performance, Massey wowed the crowd with his improvisational saxophone, synth and guitar. He distorted, recorded and looped these live melodies while mixing his industrial beats beneath. His set grew wilder as it progressed, with harsher sounds and more snare hits. At his computer Massey danced in his seat, shoulders bouncing, a faint smile on his face. Watching him on stage, it was easy to ignore the animated videos on the projector screen, and the sweeping movement of the lights.

At 2:00 am, the show reached its end and I headed to the door, exhausted. But others stayed, spreading out on the emptying floor for a return of Rob Hall. These are the die-hards, who love music and dancing and will never voluntarily give up either. Perhaps they are still there now…

Critic’s Notebook

Personal Bias: Headphones are sexy.
Random Detail: I think I saw Steve Jobs do a kick ball change.
By the Way: Next stop is Portland tonight.

Note: Photo via kultureflash.net. The venue was adamant about enforcing their no shooting rule last night, alas.