Photo: Justin Ma

For those of us lucky enough to see Decoder Ring at Splendour a few weeks back, it’s a most attractive prospect indeed to catch them doing a longer set in a more intimate venue. Like many instrumental groups, they are more musicians than performers, so their audio-visual blend of film projections with oddly soulful electronic-anchored rock creates a set that is beautiful, inventive and, yes, fun! In addition, support acts Seekae and Bridezilla provide varied musical elements, conspiring to create a lovely night out. To help things along even further, Spring has well and truly arrived early!

Arriving at The Zoo, electronic three-piece Seekae are just underway. Hunched over their oddly low-perched synths, my friend suggests tailoring their instruments into keytars to tap into their inner Jan Hammer. Nonetheless, their laptops and gadgets (even including melodica) produce some crystalline examples of post-Aphex Twin electronica, while the occasional incorporation of live drums recalls the piledriving beats of Keith Leblanc in Tackhead. A quite apt opening act.

A less obvious choice for support is the indie classical folkists Bridezilla, though they still manage to intrigue the expanding population emerging up The Zoo’s stairs. Charismatic frontwoman Holiday Sidewinder is the focal point for the audience, alternating between guitar and shimmying sexily with a tambourine, but it’s her voice that proves particularly fascinating, veering from high and ethereal to grainy and gravelly. Saxophonist Millie Hall and violinist Daisy Tully provide Middle Eastern and even medieval elements to the brooding sound. The main criticism I have is that at times their sound is left a bit gaping – some bass guitar would anchor their music nicely. But as Holiday steps off stage to dance among the audience, the set ultimately feels satisfying and entertaining.

For a band specialising in the frequently cerebral area of instrumental rocktronica, Decoder Ring’s new album They Blind The Stars, And The Wild Team (specifically disc one) is full of simple, visceral and melodic heights. This is reflected by the crowd’s response tonight – it’s a more beery, jovial audience than one might expect. But despite their experimental chops, Decoder Ring’s compositions have the dramatic peaks and big endings that come with the simple joy of rock music. Simon Killalea’s visuals enhance the experience, projecting natural history footage and images of deep space, adding to the music’s potency. Highlights include the almost Neu!-like propulsion of Beat The Twilight, the majestic Charlotte Rampling and the epic Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom, while 100 Suns is a thrilling build-up from sparse guitar melody to MBV-worthy walls of sound. Lenka-sung material from the Somersault and Fractions albums may not be present, though the mountainous blend of synths and guitars more than make up for the absence of old friends.

MATT THROWER

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