I was at SWX in Bristol again last Friday (8th), my second visit to the venue this year and the first time I've seen Ibibio Sound Machine live on stage.
It's no spoiler to say that, over a week later, I'm still aching from dancing so much. It was one of the most intense, euphoric, overwhelming, energetic, uplifting and downright funky gigs I have ever been to. The band was on fire and the audience were fired up, which all made for a terrific night out.
It's always a logistical challenge to get from work to Bristol in good time for a weekday gig and this was no exception. After a quick change at home, drive to the city and parking, I made my way with some bemusement through the vibrant Christmas market (on 8th November?!) to the venue.
The support had been listed as 'TBC', but I fully expected to miss them anyway as I went through the doors just before 8.00pm. As it happened, I don't think there was anyone preceding the tour DJ, who was still playing as I queued at the bar for my £3 soft drink.
The show was advertised with a strict curfew of 10.00pm, common practice these days to turf out the gig goers and get the clubbers in until the wee hours of the next day. After what seemed like an interminable wait, although in truth barely half an hour, Ibibio Sound Machine took to the stage.
Even that takes a little bit of time, given that there are eight of them. From left to right from the audience, Afla Sackey (percussion), Derrick McIntyre (bass), Jose Joyette (drums), Max Grunhard (sax), Tony Hayden (trombone, keys), Scott Baylis (trumpet, keys) and Alfred Kari Bannerman (guitar) all take their places.
And then Eno Williams makes her entrance, sending the already ecstatic crowd into a paroxysm of pleasure. I get the impression that I'm in the minority as a first timer here.
Resplendent in striking yellow and black costume and headdress, with an accessorised cape with rigid edge enabling her to sweep and twirl it like a flag, Eno launches into Electricity, the title track of Ibibio Sound Machine's fourth studio album and my proper entry point, thanks to an irresistible review by Jez at A History Of Dubious Taste in 2022.
In fact, the bulk of the set is split fairly evenly between this album and their current offering, Pull The Rope. I haven't yet caught up with their first three studio albums, so it means that the majority of the songs played tonight are familiar to me.
Not that it really matters. By the time Eno introduces Fire, the first song to be performed from the current album, I've already surrendered to the groove and am giving it everything, although in a way that means that I'm respecting everyone else's personal space and not flailing carelessly everywhere. In my mind, I'm dancing like a pro; in reality, to the people next to me, it probably looks like someone's emptied a packet of itching powder down the back of my T-shirt.
Every time a song ends, the cheering and applause washes back and forth like waves hitting a cliff face; Eno and the band are clearly moved by the outpouring of love and enthusiasm for their performance. It's justified. Even when Ibibio Sound Machine deliver an extended work out, such as I Need You To Be Sweet Like Sugar (Nnge Nte Suka), it's tight.
Eno's performance is the attention grabber, but every member of the band is really into it, with Afla and Kari holding their own on either side of the stage. Eno frequently engages with all of the band members, with Max Grunhard stepping to the fore on several occasions. I'm often left cold by sax showcases in a live show, but the brass kicking in on Protection From Evil sounds huge in this setting.
In fact, all of the songs are transformed in their live incarnation. Whereas the studio versions sound fantastic, they are rooted in electronica; a much different proposition on stage, which gives the music an energy and heft that grabs the audience and refuses to let go.
After a rousing rendition of Let's Dance, it's suddenly all over, Eno giving her thanks and goodbyes as she and the band head back stage.
There are a few minutes of sustained cheers, calls and applause before Afla comes back to ask us if we really want more. We're clearly not making ourselves heard! Afla takes position again behind the bongos and treats us to a powerful display of his prowess on percussion. It could be minutes or hours, it keeps the energy going until finally his band mates rejoin him.
There's just one more song to go, Pull The Rope of course. Again, it's a song that gains stature and weight from this live performance. It's over far too soon, of course, and once more we're clapping and cheering as Eno tries to express her appreciation for the reception from the Bristol crowd tonight. I couldn't hear a word of it, some way back, as yells and screams from a delighted audience filled my ears.
And then, it really was over. I didn't hang around at the merch stall afterwards, though Eno was apparently there, signing records and chatting with fans. For me, it was back outside into the city centre, through the Christmas market and the smell of gluhwein and bratwurst and back to the car park, at which point I realised that it still wasn't yet 10.00pm!
Ibibio Sound Machine played for about 70 minutes and I reckon they played roughly 11 songs. Unfortunately I was too busy having a great time to take photos or make a note of each song played. Judging by the minimal activity on social media and Setlist, I'm guessing the same for my fellow audience members!
For today's selection, I looked to the US dates Ibibio Sound Machine played in September and October and whilst the number of songs played/listed varies, there is consistency in the running order of songs. I've opted for the lengthiest set listed, performed at The Music Hall at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia on 24th September.
You therefore get 15 songs, coming in at roughly 70 minutes, not all played at Bristol, but what the heck. Album versions for the most part, plus remixes and a couple of radio edits. I've also included a trio of their earlier songs, taken from their 2020 album Live At Earth. It's as close an approximation of what I experienced last Friday as you can get and is an essential purchase if you're a fan of their music...or have become one, after listening to this selection.
Only a few dates left on the current UK tour: Edinburgh (Mon), Nottingham (Tue), Newcastle (Fri) and Bethesda near Bangor (Sat) with a handful more dates early next year. If you haven't seen Ibibio Sound Machine before, get there if you can.
1) Electricity (Album Version) (2022)
2) Talking Fish (Titeknots Remix) (2015)
3) The Chant (Iquo Isang) (Live @ EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney), London) (2019)
4) Fire (Album Version) (2024)
5) Political Incorrect (Album Version) (2024)
6) Protection From Evil (Album Version) (2022)
7) Wanna See Your Face Again (Album Version) (2022)
8) Them Say (Album Version) (2024)
9) I Need You To Be Sweet Like Sugar (Nnge Nte Suka) (Live @ EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney), London) (2019)
10) All That You Want (Joe Goddard Remix) (2022)
11) Give Me A Reason (Radio Edit) (2017)
12) Power Of 3 (Live @ EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney), London) (2019)
13) Got To Be Who U Are (Vanguard Remix) (2024)
14) Let's Dance (Faze Action Radio Edit) (2015)
15) Pull The Rope (Captain Planet Remix) (2024)
2015: Remixes EP: 2, 14
2017: Give Me A Reason EP: 11
2020: Live At Earth: 3, 9, 12
2022: All That You Want EP: 10
2022: Electricity: 1, 6, 7
2024: Pull The Rope: 4, 5, 8
2024: The Black Notes EP: 13, 15
I saw them earlier in the year. They were excellent then, sounds like they were again.
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