Beat Live last week saw two of my favourite acts that have previously performed here at Home Club. Bare with me on this one if it seems long winded but both Jamie Michael and Muon are two extremely talented acts whom I can't help but go on about.
Playing once again a selection of both covers and originals, Jamie Michael provided a heart warming opening set to an evening of diversity and great live music. His covers become instantly his, despite being smash hits for the likes of Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. He owns these songs sealing them with a flavour that is simply his. Both sweet and playful like mid albums of Elliot Smith, XO is the album that probably springs most to mind in comparison. Juxtaposing this with a raspy vocal at times and razor sharp wit he is a solo gem in a not so big handful of individual singer/songwriters who are utterly original yet completely accessible. If you didn't catch him you missed out, he enjoyed his gin and tonics and I certainly enjoyed his music.
And now for the headliners, MUON. Capitals it has to be this duo now turned trio never cease to astound who manages to catch them live. Forward thinking in terms of leaps and bounds as opposed to steps, this is a band I am confidant in saying should be globally recognized. Perhaps somewhat too obscure in ways for Singapore's small audience, they would strive in a scene with more tendencies to broken boundaries and the avant-garde.
Starting off with a classic entitled 'Against the Grain', I cement my belief that this group are prepared to take chances. They are organic yet meticulous, tight and powerful. Moody atmospheric soundscapes and deep melodies bordering on haunting and the sublime are only amplified by hypnotic electronic beats and static noises. The drummer's tightness only adds yet another level of 'oomph' to an already booming harmony of sound.
It wasn't up until 'Do Androids Dream of Electronic Sheep' that the new third member of the group made his debut. A brilliant addition of soft synth keys that both stabbed and hung in the atmosphere of sound. He added yet another element to the once colourful now rainbow audio palette created by this band. Full-on, progressive and uncompromising your perspective on Singapore's far reaching musical scene will only be broadened by an experience of Muon live.
Once again, Home provided a precursor to Beat, curated by both Home and Joe Ng, that continues to leave you lapping for more of our Singaporean talent. Uncut and without any saccharin influence, this was an experience in unadulterated live musical pleasure and ingenuity.
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