Black Nation, New Highway
Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
tenth October 2023

Compelled into sharing vocal duties by an abrupt change of circumstances, Black Nation, New Highway have crafted a completely new set which has propelled them to even larger heights. Tom Parry checks out some of the extremely rated bands of current years, and finds they stay as much as the hype.

Earlier than they walked on stage, Black Nation, New Highway used the prolonged opening of Dire Straits’ Cash For Nothing as their intro music. Coming onto a tacky ’80s hit is a part of their schtick. This may have been a foolhardy transfer for a lesser band, setting them as much as look barely feeble compared to Mark Knopfler’s immediately recognisable riff. Fortunately, with each member of this group possessing generally breathtaking musical prowess, the brazen chutzpah was not misplaced.

It’s straightforward to neglect that till final yr one in all Black Nation, New Highway’s most distinctive qualities was the voice of lead singer and guitarist Isaac Wooden. His departure on the eve of their second album prompted an entire re-think, with flute and sax participant Lewis Evans (flute), keyboardist Might Kershaw, and bass participant Tyler Hyde sharing lead vocals. Amazingly – and this was the primary time I’ve watched them within the up to date format – the brand new stability within the band works superbly; it’s as in the event that they’ve at all times been like this.

As an alternative of disintegrating, they’ve develop into an excellent tighter and extra fascinating unit. Made a advantage of the abrupt change to the line-up. Much more spectacular is the truth that they’ve carved out a totally new setlist, fairly a feat for a band that was two albums into a really current profession.

Shepherd’s Bush Empire was offered out for these two nights, on the again of a profitable US tour, and a few within the packed venue have been singing alongside, as if the songs had been round for years.

The taking part in and preparations have been typically beautiful, delicate and delicate, after which rising to bedazzling crescendos. With violinist Georgia Ellery, who can be violinist for Jockstrap, centre-stage, there was at all times one thing attention-grabbing occurring (though it was onerous to see a lot of it for these on the appropriate facet of the viewers like me, as a result of a lot of the band have been clustered in the identical spot which we couldn’t see).

There’s a freshness and experimental edge to Black Nation, New Highway, which all of them can do justice to as a result of they’re so good on their devices. At instances it’s paying homage to Arcade Fireplace at their most freewheeling. There was no fixed, easily-identifiable sound, which made for a very absorbing gig.

Within the palms of lesser musicians, a few of what they did might have been pretentious, just like the worst sort of over-indulgent prog rock, however this lot, regardless of their enviable youth, already know precisely what they’re doing. There have been beautiful sax solos, thundering drum work-outs, loads of dainty moments of quiet interaction between totally different devices, and someway all of it appeared to gel.

They’ve been described as free jazz and post-rock, however I’m undecided there’s any class which actually pins down this band.

What was irritating was that the set lasted solely 70 minutes, presumably restricted by the admirably uncompromising choice to not harken again to any of the previous materials off the primary two albums.

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All phrases by Tom Parry, you’ll find his writer’s archive right here plus on Twitter and his web site

All pictures  by Naomi Dryden-Smith:  Louder Than Warfare | Fb | Twitter |
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