Warp review

The first day of The Glade saw the breaks stage dominate as it lured in many with its punchy beats and funky basslines. Saturday however witnessed the turn of the main stage, as Warp Records presented a day of some of the most experimental and groundbreaking electronic music around. The line-up included the likes of Cylob, Ned, Animatik and Ceefax (Squarepusher’s younger brother), as well as more widely known acts such as The Egg and Plaid, promising an afternoon of musical exploration and imagination.

The Egg live were an amazing start to the evening, beautiful harmonious melodies full of strings, synths and thoughts, perfect to chill to in the late afternoon. Plaid, performing live, were also spectacular, although much less hectic than the likes of Squarepusher and less mellow than The Egg; they produced some amazing melodies and beats.

Aphex Twin, legend of Electronica, warmed up the crowd for the headliners, Eat Static, with a DJ set under the alias DJ AFX. Although renowned for not always giving the crowd what they want, the musical genius produced an amazing set full of deep booming basslines, quality drum n bass and some thumping breakbeat. Whilst the set was dominated by the trademark “Warpy” synth sounds and Aphex style beat patterns, it was not dominated by AFX’s tendency toward random madness. It was a hard, complex and manic, yet pure banging set, and the crowd seemed to be loving it with a passion I have seldom experienced.

Highlight of this rare and exciting line-up, however, even if we go on sheer performance energy alone, has to be the almighty Squarepusher, otherwise known as Tom Jenkinson. There are few words available to describe what it was like to experience Squarepusher live. “Unexplainably unique” just doesn’t seem to do it justice. His highly individual style is impossible to pigeonhole in any way but his albums are highly influenced by both Jazz and drum n bass, amongst copious other genres.

His performance was intense, to say the least, and perhaps at times a little too difficult, but his immense musical talent was made obvious not only through his display of incredible bass playing ability.

Everyone from die-hard fan to intrigued passer-by appeared spellbound by his performance. Some even looked slightly afraid as the strobe lighting increased along with the musical intensity, and the full extent of Squarepusher’s control and manipulation of sound was explored.

You can guarantee that no two people left Squarepusher thinking the same thing, but everyone left there thinking something, and knowing they had seen something spectacular. I was lucky enough to meet him, and witness him receive the greeting of one happy festival goer, “Wow! Great set! Didn’t understand it, like, but...” to which he replied: “I just hope you found it inspiring.”

And inspiring it was.

review by Leanne Brett

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