Buzzin Music

Animal Collective live at Concorde 2, Brighton 2009

Animal Collective live at Concorde 2, Brighton
15th January 2009

Animal Collective is a collective of experimental musicians from Baltimore, Maryland. This month they are touring the UK to promote the release of their ninth album, Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Animal Collective consists of Avey Tare (David Portner), Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), Deakin (Josh Dibb), and Geologist (Brian Weitz). Records released under the name Animal Collective may include contributions from any or all of these members.

Animal Collective have no need to win praise in front of the sold out Concorde2. Sheltering from the January chill in this sweaty mass, the audience is just short of orgasmic glee by the opening song.

And with good reason. Animal Collective are something of a rare treat and their critically acclaimed new album Merriweather Post Pavilion has been sending little scenester tsunamis through Brighton, with kids buying up deluxe vinyl box-sets and independent record shops dishing out wine, in late night openings, just to preview the new album.

Tonight stands as a benchmark for other bands; to achieve that chemistry, that chaotic tightness. Between songs are layers of drone and repeating synthetic loops making it a relentless, emotionally tiring performance.

With a set up of 4 CD decks, cuing samples of scattering beats and computer yelps and glitches as well as percussion and guitar loaded with effects like a child’s buckaroo toy, the trio make such a mesmerising racket. Though far from an organic sound, Panda Bear’s endearing warble cuts through the electronic sheen like a hot knife, a human soul surrounded by circuit boards.

Seminal single “Freworks” is drawn out, prolonged for tension, but by the time its stuttering guitar lines and hung-over sentiments begin it’s like an LSD campfire sing-a-long freak out or something.

If lyrically Animal Collective are lost in a sea of obscurity, then musically they’re orbiting Neptune. Certainly one of the first genuinely exciting performances of the year and demonstrating an ingenuity which I’m sure even the band is dreading to follow up.

“Leaf House” closes the night in its traumatic splendour and the venue cries out to be deafened all over again.