Photo: Dan Medhurst
The North Borders tour has been something of watershed moment for Simon Green, otherwise known as Bonobo.
It has truly cemented his position a cult figure, a one-man multi-instrumentalist production wonder who has seen his audience grow exponentially. You can see how far he's come as he stands astride the Alexandra Palace stage, surveying the 10,000 strong audience, bass in hand, telling them that there is "no better place" to finish the 180 date tour.
This is the kind of line that spoken by most road weary bands would be taken with a pinch of salt, but there's a genuity to Bonobo and that's part of the appeal, both in music and personality. There's an incredible warmth in Alexandra Palace as the huge audience watches an expertly put together set of lovingly crafted music.
Opening with crowd favourite 'Cirrus', things get off to a spectacular start but it's only when 'Kiara' drops five songs in that things really get going. Performing with a full string section the track takes on a truly epic sound, but a deep one that lends the rest of the set the feeling of a truly live take on electronic music. This isn't a case of imitating the album, this is building an evolution of sound.
At one point glitter cannons are released into the audience, whilst all the while a net of balloons hangs precariously, waiting for a crescendo. Along with special guests Andreya Triana, The Grey Reverend, Cornelia and Szjerdene, this creates a palpable feeling that this is a special show, for audience and artist alike.
If there was one thing that held it back, it was the occasionally abrasive limitations of Alexandra Palace as a venue. For those not directly at the front of the stage, the sound was quite easily drowned out by the incessant nattering of the more idiotic members of the crowd.
Otherwise it was a flawless show, the balloons came down in a cascade of happiness, eroding any possible reservations. It's impossible to be grumpy when you have hundreds of balloons cascading against the backdrop of what can only be described as some of the most beautiful music the last decade has afforded.
With 'Black Sands' closing the encore it was all over, leaving behind a two hour set that couldn't have been better. As we walked away to the sound of popping balloons it seemed clear Bonobo is truly something special, an artist who takes the concept of musicians jamming far into the future. There was love for each of the guests who graced the stage, one reciprocated by audience and artist in droves and that is a rare thing.
This is an artist becoming hugely prolific and we can't wait to see what happens next.
Watch the show in full on the Boiler Room below
