Live Review: Milky Chance

Milky Chance

German folk-come-reggae duo Milky Chance brought their unique and refreshing melodies to the Metro last night.

Opening with Stunner the minimalist yet evocative stage transported one into a scene from Where The Wild Things Are. Frontman Clemens Rehbein incessantly ruffled his hair amidst a well orchestrated combination of raspy pipes and percussion.

A sea of smartphones flickered through the air as Flashed Junk Mind began, jolting everyone back into reality. Rehbein’s voice has a way of weaving in and out of consciousness, which clearly didn’t affect most who were watching through the lens of a fucking iPhone.

The set reached its climax in Loveland where the pair were joined by a harmonica god. Their guest had the crowd in awe, as the instrument appeared to be an extension of his body; Loveland displayed the skills of a well oiled machine as the jamboree of the now three-piece momentarily forced the crowd to actually watch with their eyes.

Rehbein’s voice wailed in Stolen Memories with dramatic solos and build-ups, it’s a curious live track as you try to figure out where these indigenous sounds are coming from. The Rastafarian feel was a fitting lead into Running as the crowd stamped and the bongos filled in the gaps, resembling a stampede it was close as to nature you could get by being at a gig.

It is clear how ‘over’ Stolen Dance Rehbeins was doing an obligatory down-tempo rendition that he mumbled and rushed through; no one really seemed to mind though as the musical display in the previous hour had given Milky Chance enough street cred.

The encore Down By The River made the Metro feel like one big hammock, with the lanterns on the stage providing beacons of hope for music in 2015.