Photo: Press/Facebook
Back in London for one night only at Hackney's Oslo, William Phillips (Tourist) showcased his mellow Balearic beats to a somewhat reserved crowd on Thursday.
Dressed in a dark shirt and jeans and shrouded in shadows, the DJ and producer's live setup saw him flanked by a guitarist and drummer while he oversaw decks and a keyboard in the middle.
The soulful build of 'I Can't Keep Up' featuring singer and saxophonist Will Heard made for an atmospheric initiation as shimmering tremolos and swish keyboards saw him acting out his motto of making dance music for 'people who don't like to dance'.
As lilac and white crystalline lights flickered stacatto against the fluttering basslines, things started to heat up with 2014's 'Trust In You' which was transformed into a jerking math-rock number via his Yannis-channelling guitarist.
Breakthrough hit 'Illuminate' which features Radio 1 darlings, Years and Years was then treated to a slow-climbing wall of sound which featured a European-style accordion effect, seeing him offer a few danceable moments after a chilled start.
The South Londoner also unveiled a new track 'Waves' which featured a crackling vinyl opening before diving into an uplifting, sun-drenched smasher, transporting the little black box into another realm for a few minutes at least.
The venue itself was too closed in to fully exhibit the breezy, oceanic sound performed here - definitely fitting better in a Croatian beach setting than in the dark depths of Hackney - but a holiday from real life was fully appreciated before we headed back out into the cold night.
