Since their origins in a French commune in 1967, Gong have always been a band in constant flux. So, it’s somewhat surprising that their line-up in 2023 features their most stable incarnation to date. Featuring members chosen by band founder Daevid Allen, this bunch of musicians are taking his original vision and marching boldly into the future. Therefore, those expecting an exercise in nostalgia tonight will be sorely disappointed as they appear with an energy that places them firmly in the present. That’s not to say they’ve turn their backs on the past, far from it; there are many fan favourites peppering tonight’s set list, yet their focus is firmly on the here and now, and that becomes evident by the energy radiated as they burst onto the stage. Guitarist/vocalist Kavus Torabi in particular seems in high spirits and performs some strange variation on the Chuck Berry “duck walk”. The overall feeling created is one of celebration, and a near-capacity crowd agree and show their affirmation through rapt applause. But in truth, it’s hard not to get swept up in the band’s joie de vivre as they take us on a musical journey which ululates like an eagle gliding on an air current, and from the opening of ‘My Guitar Is A Spaceship’ to the frenetic finale of ‘Choose Your Goddess’ this is one trip we don’t want to end, and this line-up proves that the legacy of Gong is in safe hands.
Ozric Tentacles formed four decades ago, I’m sure founding (and only constant) member Ed Wynne never conceived that the band would last this long. They are the very epitome of the independent spirit and have steered their own course through the often murky waters of the music industry. Outside, wars are waging and people are preaching hate, yet inside The Roadmender there’s a lot of love floating in the air (although there’s always a few who refuse to leave their politics at the door), and those good vibes become a tangible thing that electrifies and crackles the air when Ozric take to the stage. In typically understated style they just appear (seemingly from the ether), plug in and play, and this low key approach has the benefit of bringing their songs to the fore, and when they are this good, that’s precisely where they should be. When I was a young thrasher back in the ‘80s, musical genres were a lot more defined and its tribal nature could often spill over into physical violence. Yet, Ozric Tentacles were one of the first bands to unite the warring factions; punks, metalheads and ravers were all united by their love of Ozric, and their cassettes were passed around like musical peace pipes. That aesthetic still holds firm, with fans of all different persuasions present, and it is heartening to see the band attracting plenty of new blood, but with the band releasing albums as strong as the recent Lotus Unfolding (reviewed here), that’s really no surprise. The breadth and depth of the Ozric discography means that someone is always going to disappointed with the song selection, but tonight’s set does a good job at touching all bases. Such is the free form, organic nature of the band’s sound that they run a little over curfew, but no one’s complaining as ‘Sploosh!’ ends an enjoyable evening with a…sploosh!
Ozric Tentacles Set list:
- Green Incantation
- Erpland
- Eternal Wheel
- Kick Muck
- Lotus Unfolding
- Sunscape
- Sniffing Dog
- Burundi Spaceport
- Sploosh!
