Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night (Stereolab, Shepherd's Bush Empire, 12th June 2019)

Stereolab have been one of my favourite bands ever since I first heard them on John Peel's radio programme in the early 1990s, so despite a mid-week London gig, there was no doubt in my mind I had to be there for the latest tour.  

Their sound evolved hugely over the years, if you compare, say their debut album 'Peng' to the late-period 'Chemical Chords', for example, you might imagine - vocals aside - this was a different band. To some extent they were a different band, having evolved from a four-piece to a six-piece band by time I last saw them live, which was on the 'Emperor Tomato Ketchup' tour, and even then their sound was still evolving. (To be fair, their sound evolved continuously, perhaps the true definition of progressive rock, even if many people wouldn't include them in that category.)

Back to now, what's changed? Well, here I was back at the Shepherd's Bush Empire waiting to see Stereolab, but, sadly,  without my wife, who was there for the first gig, and the band has now trimmed down to a 5-piece for the tour.  As many of you will know, the changes in the band were due in part to the death of singer, Mary Hansen, in 2002, and the subsequent well-publicised relationship break-up of core song-writing duo of Tim Gane and Laetitia Sadier. By the time the band announced their hiatus - they never formally split the band - Laetitia was publicly unhappy in the band and touring and playing together was strained to say the least.

Tim and Laetitia continued to make music - Tim with his electronic / krautrock band Cavern of Anti-Matter and Laetitia with the Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble - but until this tour, they haven't played together for 10 years, and the big question was how would they be on-stage together?

Having whetted your appetite, I'm afraid I must delay satisfaction a little longer by talking about support band Vanishing Twin's set first.

When I booked the tickets for the gig, the support act hadn't been announced, but about a week before the gig I discovered Vanishing Twin were support. Overjoyed would be an understatement. Vanishing Twin have just released their second album proper, titled 'The Age of Immunology', follow-up to their wonderful debut album, 'Choose Your Own Adventure'.

As the band took to the stage the black and white aesthetic was in full flourish, and Cathy Lucas was resplendent in her black outfit topped off with a large black and white striped hat, as below.

Opening number of the set was 'Choose Your Own Adventure' and I was swept up by the band sound and Cathy's vocals.  Live they have a wonderfully full and rich sound and band members change instruments for different songs, and specially mention has to go to Susumu Mukai on bass for some great bass lines, though I should state that all the musicians played with verve and were obviously excited to be supporting Stereolab and to be playing for this crowd. They certainly got a warm reception.

Unfortunately they only got to play a short set, maybe 30 minutes or so, which meant there was a lot of stuff they didn't have time to explore their albums in depth, but it did leave me wanting to see them again, only as headliners rather than support. Really great band, set and perfect warm up for the main act, Stereolab. If you haven't caught Vanishing Twin yet, I urge you to do so, not only will you not be disappointed but you will discover a band full of musical surprises and joy. Here's the title track of their debut album to whet your appetite...

And finally, another shot of the band in full flow, to close this section...

...and so to Stereolab, starting with a shot of Laetitia tuning up prior to the band taking the stage...

At around 9pm, to huge applause the band took to the stage, Tim and Laetitia picked up their guitars, and they were straight into 'Come and Play in the Milky Night'.

Any fear that they might be off form was rapidly dispelled and they hurtled through an exhilarating and joyous set touching their best albums and picking out a few oddities that have been collected into their compilation albums that mop up tracks from obscure EPs and singles that don't appear on the main albums.

What struck me as I revelled in favourite song after favourite song, is that Stereolab are the band that the phrase "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts" was invented for. They very much are a band, not a bunch of virtuoso musicians who want to out-solo one another: the band sound is everything. Since the death of Mary Hansen there has been a gap in the vocals, but on the night, bass player Simon Johns was filling in where needed, and it worked well.

Special mention must go to the rhythm section of Andy Ramsay on drums and the aforementioned Simon Johns on bass. Motorik drumming underpins many of their songs and Andy was on top form on the night, getting into the groove and locking in - no mean feat on longer numbers like 'Metronomic Underground'. Simon John's bass playing was very funky which brought a bounce to songs that's not always so evident on the earlier studio albums, though as the influences of tropicalia came to the fore on the album 'Dots and Loops' there was a more noticeable sinuous dance-y vibe.

Back to the songs: next up was the first of three tracks from what is probably my favourite album, 'Dots and Loops', with these being scattered through the set. Laetitia introduced the song after 'Brakhage', with a smile and the words "next, our hit", and it was straight in to an exuberant 'French Disko'.

There were wonderful versions of personal favourites, 'Miss Modular', 'Fluorescences', 'Need to Be' (absolutely stunning performance), 'Ping Pong', and 'Crest'.

Here's a shot of their set list, with at least one jokey title...

There were two surprises for me: new light was shed on 'Metronomic Underground', a song I'd never really been keen on, but on the night was shown to be a wonderfully hypnotic, krautrock-influenced song; and the other was the absolutely joyous performance of 'The Extension Trip', a great favourite, originally released on a rather obscure EP.

I left the theatre with a huge smile on my face as it was one of the best band performances and set lists I've seen in a while.  What a terrific return to the gig circuit and a fantastic evening - if you get a chance to see them - go!

Here's the set playlist, first on YouTube....

...and also in Spotify form...