Photo: Lucy Bridger
As Australian psychedelic, electro, indie-rock trio began, Kangol hat atop lead singer Gabriel Winterfield’s head, you could be mistaken in thinking you were at Madchester’s Haçienda early 90s, not London 2013.
After two false starts, dipped lights only to be lifted to a ruckus roar from the bustling crowd aimed at the confused soundman, the sold out venue were eager to get the show started. First to the stage was Jono Ma, ready to attack his synthetic percussive arsenal. The slow electro build up, mixed seamlessly into a crisp hip-hop beat, was the perfect precursor for the musical fusion that ensued. Next on stage, to perform songs from their debut album Howlin’, was Jack Freeman who contributed backing vocal and yet more bass.
Eventually, Gabriel began with a shamanistic chant: “Waiting for tomorrow brings another day / Another sun to watch” scattered on top insidious, bass-heavy pounding. Gabriel’s commanding voice pierced through the intense electronic sounds with delicate precision. He evolved fluidly from Liam Gallagher-esk projection and prolonged vowels, to unstated Thom Yorke style wallowing in soothing breakdowns – all the while with undertones of the Happy Mondays echoing - clearly justifying why Noel Gallagher labelled Jagwar Ma “the future” in NME earlier this year.
As the two vocalists flailed around like pilled up warehouse ravers, consumed in the moment, psychedelic, coloured, patterned lights blasted across the stage and crowd. Presenting, as did the entire gig, a hat tip to the past, whilst punching the future.
Half way through the set, Gabriel caterwauled their latest single ‘Man I Need’, in that classic 90s Bit-Pop way. Steadily the pace picked up, transforming into heavy, chaotic rock, with alluring melodies that sent the crowd into elated despair.
The ardour radiating through Jagwar Ma deems them well worth a watch at their next London date - Brixton, 14 May.
