Live: KIKAGAKU MOYO 幾何学模様 – WHARF CHAMBERS, LEEDS 21.10.2014

Kikagaku Moyo/ 幾何学模様 have been in my life for about a month now, but somehow it feels longer. I must admit that I did not immediately fall for the band’s considerable charms and it took me a few listens of the Cardinal Fuzz release ‘Mammatus Clouds’ before I began to see what all the fuss was about, perhaps longer jams was not the place to start – although it is a great place to be now I’m into it. But what really sealed the deal was hearing the latest album “Forest of Lost Children” which is sublime and transcendent, and which made up the bulk of the thirty minute set, plus encore, at a spellbound Wharf Chambers.

Now there are bands for whom a thirty minute set would be a cause for complaint, but so intense was the playing, so full of passion from a band that was clearly on the top of its game and thoroughly enjoying the performance; that the length hardly mattered. I came away with a feeling of immense satisfaction, of being blown away by the sheer beauty and excitement of a band which are surely destined for greater things.

I count myself very lucky to be at this gig, one of only two on the UK tour that features the band’s sitar player, and where I saw them perform a cover of International Harvester’s “There Is No Other Place”, the final track from Mammatus Clouds, for the very first time. Probably the highlight of the gig for me, though, was ‘Smoke and Mirrors’, and absolutely fantastic freak out which just seemed rise and fall and then build and build into a fantastic climax of sitar, wah wah guitar and thumping bass and drums – all played out like there was no tomorrow…and then it was all over…except the band came back on for a rare encore of ‘Dawn’, from the band’s debut release. This was a fitting end to an absolutely superb gig which, despite my superlative-filled attempts here, I find very difficult to put into words.

All I can say it that if there is any justice in this world then Kikagaku Moyo/幾何学模様 (if they wish it) should be massive, and I will be playing their music for many years to come because of its timeless, enchanting and completely authentic qualities. It’s only been a month, but I think I’ve fallen for the band hard.

Kikagaku Moyo/幾何学模様 are:

Vocal/Guitar: Tomo Katsurada
Guitar: Daoud Popal
Sitar/Keyboard: Ryu Kurosawa
Bass: Kotsuguy
Drums/Vocal: Go Kurosawa

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