Tonight is billed as a special rave set by Australia's kings of psych, King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard. As such, there is no support, just a DJ. Even so, I am surprised to find that it is Kit Sebastian on the decks spinning a set of funky '60s psych. It really gets me in the mood for the main event but I'm not sure everyone else feels the same way though. Some people are bopping along but their set mainly serves as background noise for conversations.
It is weird to see five of the members of King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard hunched over a bank of electronics in the middle of the stage. They open with 'Theia' which builds upon a motorik groove for a slice of psychedelic krautrock similar to Fujiya & Miyagi. It's a cool but understated opening until midway through the track when the tempo is pitched up and it becomes a thumping dance track in the vein of Underworld. A bouncy electronic psych section elicits a roar from the crowd. Even though it is all electronics, their experimental nature is undimmed and they have a number of extended jams. A flute is brought out early but it is so effect laden it sounds nothing like a flute, instead sounding like a homing signal sent across the galaxy to alien lifeforms. They play pretty much continuously with one track merging into another. One section is a baggy jam which The Stone Roses would have been proud of, complete with a John Squire-esque guitar solo. It does get a little too experimental and self indulgent at times though. Even 'Flamethrower (Outro) gets a dance makeover although those crunchy, metallic guitars are still present. The images on the big screen are suitably psychedelic although the visual effects make it seem like an early '80s episode of Top Of The Pops. The easy soul-funk of 'Slow Jam 1' is more concise despite it's length, although it does take an ominous turn midway through. The band are very invested in what they are doing and there is little interaction with the crowd. One moody, atmospheric track reminds me of Massive Attack although it morphs into something completely different towards the end with a lovely Santana-esque guitar solo and some Miami Vice synths, before heading into Gary Numan territory. The easy soul of 'Hell's Itch' is given a jazzy feel by the freeform drumming, and the dual vocals positively soar. It even cheekily steals a verse of All Saints' 'Pure Shores' towards the end. Every track is sprawling and progressive. When they go pure techno it is euphoric and the crowd reacts accordingly, The extended techno barrage of the final hour is more like what we were promised and it gets increasingly intense. The terrifying lyrics on the big screen for the closing 'Murder Of The Universe' are an incredible visual. At two and a half hours long they lose my attention in a few places but, overall, their versatility and mastery of their craft regardless of genre is hugely impressive.
King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard ****
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