Gazpacho / O2 Academy / Islington
I’d not seen Gazpacho before but if there’s one thing I love, it’s a bit of art rock or progressive rock. With their new album “Magic 8-Ball” out last year, this was a great opportunity to catch them live at the O2 Academy in Islington.
First up on stage were a band I’d not heard of before – HamaSaari. With a name like that I imaged them to be Finnish, but no, hailing from France, they deliver a set of impressive prog rock. They released their debut album “Ineffable” in 2023 and their follow up “Pictures” just this year.
I learnt afterwards they know and have played with one of my favourite French bands Klone. Their sound would go down well with fans of the likes of Klone, Pineapple Thief or Riverside.
What impressed me about HamaSaari, was the variety of their sound. The music could be mellow and delicate as on Lost in Nights and then almost from nowhere massive and powerful as in Our Heads Spinning and especially White Pinnacles where vocalist Jordan Jupin delivering some almost metalcore growls. This added heavy element was a real treat for me and worked so so well. They play with conviction too, delivering some beautiful introspective segments, the set returning regularly to a progressive foundation.
Right form the opening track Frames through to Prognosis the delivery is exceptional and the early London crowd seem to really take to them.
HamaSaari were a real find, and a band I hope are back over on UK shores real soon.
Setlist
Frames
Lost in Nights
White Pinnacles
Bleak
Our Heads Spinning
Prognosis
A short break to re-set the stage and it’s time for tonight’s headliners Gazpacho. From Norway they are Jan-Henrik Ohme (vocals), Jon-Arne Vilbo (guitar), Thomas Andersen (keyboards), Mikael Krømer (violin and guitar), Kristian Torp (bass) and Robert R Johansen (drums). It’s hard to believe it was way back in 2003 when they released their debut album “Bravo” and their 12th album “Magic 8-Ball” last year.
Gazpacho are one of those bands without airs or pretension. No great set or lighting rig, it’s genuine, thoughtful and relaxed. Dressed in black they set about delivering a set of some of the most hypnotic, delicate and beautiful music you could wish for. Jan-Henrik is relaxed and interacts with ease with the crowd, talking and joking throughout.
They start the set with We Are Strangers which just seems to float gently over the crowd. It’s the kind of brooding music you can just lose yourself in, not your jump around and mosh to. Theres no noise, the crowd silent, just taking in the moment and soaking it all in. I love a riot of a show, but equally I really enjoy this kind of experience too – Thoughtful and evocative.
The band are tight. Like with HamaSaari, there is little movement, the band letting their music do the talking so to speak, but Jan-Henrik creates that bridge between crowd and band with his tales about the songs. Before they head into Soyuz One he tells us the set is many focuses on two albums, their most recent release “Magic 8-Ball” of course, but their hugely popular “Tick Tock” from 2009. Soyuz One is from “Soyuz” released in 2018 and is exquisite. Light almost breathe like in its delivery, its hauntingly beautiful as it washes over us.
Gingerbread Men is elegant and richly arranged and by now we are totally spellbound by the performance and with 8-Ball the title track of the latest album, we get a taste of the different direction some of the latest material goes. It’s almost ‘70’s Genesis-like, in that operatic, story-telling prog way. Delightful !
The instrumental sections are equally enthrawling with bass player Kristian Trop and drummer Robert Johansen delivering a wonderfully intuitive partnership; they have an almost telepathic understanding that can be restrained or forceful as the music demands it. Whilst on keyboards Thomas Andersen, delivers complex layered tones with amazing warmth and depth.
Gazpacho play a significant park of “Tick Tock” with The Walk and Tick Tock played in full only Desert Flight was, I think the only omission (?). Throughout these Jon-Arne’s guitar playing along with violin and mandolin from Mikael are striking and create a sense of flow through the tracks.
The new album appears again with Sky King and the mesmerising Starling. Indeed contrasting some of the newer sounds on the latest album (such as 8-Ball) Starling is classic Gazpacho and could easily sit on any of their albums.
As the set draws to a close, we enjoy Winter Is Never from 2009’s “Tick Tok” clearly a fan favourite is met enthusiastically. It’s rich and delicate in it’s textures and we end on Bravo, the closing track of the 2003 album of the same name. A real treat, as it’s a song that very rarely makes the live set list ! Stunningly beautiful, it’s the perfect song to showcase Jan-Henrik’s vocals. No closing anthem, arms raised, punching the air, just stunning, delicate vibes as the music drifts effortlessly around us.
A simply stunning performance from Gazpacho, and in HamaSaari, the perfect support. As I walk back to the tube station for my train home, I realise just how relaxed I am, and I reflect on the rare beauty of what I just witnessed.
Simply beautiful, and highly recommended.
Setlist
We Are Strangers
Soyuz One
Golem
Gingerbread Men
8-Ball
The Walk, Part 1
The Walk, Part 2
Starling
Upside Down
Sky King
Tick Tock, Part 1
Tick Tock, Part 2
Tick Tock, Part 3
Winter Is Never
Bravo
