Live Review: TV On The Radio, Kirin J Callinan

Cutting a striking figure in some kind of kurta-like get-up, the illustrious Kirin J Callinan always seems to take great delight in trying to freak the audience out. His short solo set featuring tunes from Embracism seems to weird some people out, amuse others and also irritate a noticeable few in the crowd. There’s an unsettling darkness to his songs, which up close and personal can become kind of frightening. The short 20-minute set closes with Callinan getting infantile with The Toddler. After the show, Callinan is selling some really strange photos of himself for $15 a pop, writing little notes to buyers as they’re being bought. Amusingly, the photo of Callinan in his tighty whiteys does a brisk trade and sells out quickly.

Since Seeds dropped late last year there’s never been any doubting that TV On The Radio, or TVOTR, would hit our shores to showcase the latest jewel in their distinctive indie rock crown. The passing of their bass player Gerard Smith in 2011 may have cast a shadow over the band for a while but now they’re back and in undoubtedly fine form. Atmospheric psychedelic sounds build to a crescendo that unleashes 2003’s Young Liars to blinding effect. It’s just the start of an electrifying 90 minutes in their company that blows the crowd’s minds. The jagged thump of Lazerray pulverises while the distorted fuzz of Happy Idiot is underscored by irrepressibly poppy beats. They’ve been an angular, almost experimental collision of punk, soul and more straightforward indie but tonight as TVOTR showcase new material a certainly crowd-pleasing accessibility also becomes evident. Charismatic frontman Tunde Adebimpe’s typically urgent delivery ensures he remains the focus of our attention throughout. The five-piece band, which includes Dave Sitek and a nonchalant Kyp Malone with that incredibly fuzzy but greying beard, arrange themselves around Adebimpe with great precision. The clarity of the sound blowing out of the PA says TVOTR are mixed just right. The live versions of their tunes are amped up for our benefit and the low-slung bass groove of Careful You blows up into quite the rocker. Wolf Like Me offers a balls-out rock-out that instantly has the crowd pogoing vigorously. Red Dress embraces irresistible disco funk vibes while Trouble is perhaps the only song in the set that slows the furious pace otherwise maintained across the evening. The encore kicks off with the synthesised orchestrations of Ride, which eventually blows off the dreamy sounds for a joyous rocking vibe. Dancing Choose holds us firmly in place ahead of the blinding charm of Staring At The Sun. Perhaps inspired by a literary moment conjured by Julian Barnes the song builds slowly before completely dazzling the crowd with its radiant glow. The vitality of TVOTR’s live performances never disappoints, their powerful sound invigorating and having enthusiastic fans cheering for more.