The Tivoli - Sun May 4

The turnout to see seminal electronic music figurehead John Foxx is truly paltry – as influential as his sound remains in the music of our own Cut Copy and Presets, tonight it appears only post-punk enthusiasts and faithful Foxx followers are willing to make the trip.

Brisbane synth-pop veterans Tycho Brahe are an ideal support. Brooding, dramatic and stately electronic anthems are delivered with the group’s trademark energy, to which the audience responds quite well, but the sight of a band delivering so much to a theatre with so few in attendance is a little surreal.

John Foxx doesn’t appear to be worried about the small crowd, however, amiably introducing the show as a performance in two parts. The first half is Foxx and his synths alone on stage, providing an instrumental soundtrack to accompanying film Tiny Colour Movies, a compilation of random, and often affecting, pieces of film from many different sources. Highlights of this half include the Autobahn-esque soundscape of Looped Los Angeles, accompanying vintage footage of the LA Freeway, and the hypnotic pulse of Kurfustendamm, which soundtracks film grabs of a lively Berlin street.

For the second half, Foxx is joined by collaborator Louis Gordon on additional electronics, who is an energetic contrast to Foxx’s more quiet presence. The duo charge through a pristine combination of solo Foxx material (including highlights from the recently re-released Metamatic) and even some classics from his years fronting Ultravox! (exclamation mark later removed). Hearing seminal tunes My Sex, Hiroshima Mon Amour and The Man Who Dies Everyday is a true treat and the sparse but appreciative audience leaves the venue contented at seeing a true electronic music legend still making atmospheric and creative music.

MATT THROWER

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