The Machine Stops at The Sage

Hawkwind returning to form with a new album and a classic show at the Sage on 18th April 2016.

No support act or onstage dancers/theatrics but a much improved lightshow from last time I saw them and a much better sound, though that's probably down to the excellent acoustics in The Sage.

With a set list that relied heavily on the new album, The Machine Stops, which is based around EP Forster’s dystopian classic,  the band have not sounded this good since their Space Ritual pomp as they take you into their own unique world.

The music they play tonight is mesmerising. Their new bassist is a great find and does all those great Lemmy style bass runs that were so key to the band’s Space Ritual era. Some of the songs stretch out in to long, 10 minute jams, ever changing and evolving with Dave Brock's churning rhyming rhythm guitar at the heart and soul of this performance.

Hawkind 2016 sound like they are on a mission and for a set that is new song heavy and has rare moments of old material like a pulsating Orgone Acculamator and encores, You better Believe It and Silver Machine, this was a very well received playlist from a band that is still pushing the boundaries as well as sounding fresh and relevant.

EM Forsters cult classic is available as a free download if anyone wants an alternative vision of the future!

Focusing on Hawkwind

I've seen Hawkwind a good few times now, the first being way back in 1972 and they've never failed to entertain with some great music, performance and visuals  Going down to London to see them with my son Dan at Shepherds Bush O2  this was a gig I was looking forward to, especially as this time I'd be seated. So following a Indian at a local eatery we headed to the venue, doors were open and it was beginning to fill up already, looked like being very close to a sell out.

Lets start with the  opening highlight, which were Focus. Arriving on stage the, dare I say it, slightly portly Thijs van Leer took his position behind a classic Hammond, his trusty flute in hand. Opening with House of the King it was well on it's way to be a great 'prog' performance and what tipped it in to something really special was the annncement that the next song would be Eruption a 23 minute epic from 1972's Moving waves album. The sound of the Hammond was just perfect, so warm and deep, Leer's flute playing was at the top of his game. Following up with Sylvia and finishing with a rousing version of Hocus Pocus they had set the scene for a great night.

Hawkwind arrived shortly after and started with a song no one knew. A start that left both Dan and I looking at each other, wondering what was going on, and the visuals were distinctly lack lustre. But they followed that up with Motorway City and We Took the long Step Long Ago so things were looking up only for them to be dashed as they wandered off stage leaving a MAC based electro/drone and a single dancer on the stage (who I admit was talented), and that was it. In fact during the course of the gig the band wandered (were they bored?) offstage three times leaving the dancer and the rather dull electro sound. Now Hawkwind are known for their psychedelic imagery and are considered pioneers of 'space rock' but the lack of visual stimulation disappointed me. The setlist was the main problem though - I realise they have an extensive back catalogue, but looking at the crowd around me, everyone looked confused and there was virtually no atmosphere and no interaction with the audience. Out of a 2 hour set, I only knew 3 or 4 songs.  Dan and I left feeling deflated and surprised as the last time we saw them they were brilliant. This time was dull and unintersting if I'm honest.  I'm not sure why they didn't go 'all out' with the space monsters and dancers this time - perhaps they were on a tight budget? At the end of the gig we were all called the 'true spirit of Hawkwind', well perhaps we were, but sadly it certainly wasn't present from those on the stage.