The death of TV On The Radio bassist (and all-round musical genius) Gerard Smith in April was a heartbreaking and monumental loss, but there’s no doubt that his spirit was palpably felt tonight and his contribution to the band’s last three albums – Return To Cookie Mountain (2006), Dear Science (2008) and Nine Types Of Light (2011) – wasexemplary. Former drummer Jaleel Bunton is now taking care of bass duties due to his multi-instrumental skills while new member Jahphet Landis has moved into the position of drummer.
Not only is each member of TV On The Radio a dexterous and imaginative musician, but their incredible fervour hypnotised and captivated the audience for the entire one-and-a-half hour set. TundeAdebimpe is an amazingly expressive, passionate and compelling frontman who summits himself completely to the music. It’s evident in the way that he moves so freely, naturally and un-self-consciously. His arms swing, flail and jolt viciously to each tantalising hook, brooding rhythm, sensuous croon and piercing lament.
Accompanied by a trumpet player, the pensive romanticism of TV On The Radio’s latest album,Nine Types Of Light, shone through in the glorious funk-laden soul-rock of Second Song and the ever-charming Will Do, while Caffeinated Consciousness is as invigorating as anthems come. From Dear Science, Red Dress and DLZ reasserted their status as impenetrable staples and turned a thrilling concert into a powerful, rebellious and awe-inspiring protest against complacency and idleness in the face of political upheaval and social degradation.
Amazingly, it just kept getting better. When the main set closed withStaring At The Sun, Repetition and Wolf Like Me, the breathless euphoria and ensuing catharsis was overwhelming. The encore took a different and thrilling direction with unnerving performances of Blues From Down Here, a cover of Fugazi’s Waiting Room and the hypnotic Satellite. TV On The Radio are undoubtedly one of modern music’s greatest bands, and witnessing them live is to experience theincomparable potency and inspired passion of boundlessly inventive art. Every musician should be quaking in their boots – this is how it ought to be done.
LOVED: The entire performance: gig of the year.
HATED: The tense feud between some of the tall and short fans at the front.
DRANK: Heineken.
