Review: Bearcubs, Crofter’s Rights

This was a gig that demonstrated the struggle and triumph of live music, and those that make it what it is.
From national radio and online exposure of the artist, to frustrated promoters trying to push their new sounds. The curious who have heard that one tune that sold them the ticket, to enthusiasts who sing along with their eyes closed. This gig had all of it, even though the attendance wasn’t complete. It was a quiet Monday night and the ability to book an artist like Bearcubs came primarily off the funds made from a hundred sell out student pop parties. That’s a dedicated promoter, who knows the music comes first, but you need money to support the alternative acts. Bristol under represents the world of cutting-edge downbeat, groovy, soulful electronic music, next to the abundance of sound-system obscurities, techno and beyond.

Support warmed the place up with fresh music that doesn’t need to get grimy, distorted, aggressive or relentlessly heavy to build a crescendo. The impact comes from surprises in rhythm, texture and space. Alexandr played an entertaining set of “future-beat” bubblers, colourful and bouncing with plenty of character. Urgent build ups that draw from the palette of trap, footwork and hyperactive soul, dropping into spacious and jazzy weight that is as heavy or light as you can interpret.

Bearcubs himself takes to the quiet stage on his second night of the tour, reservedly but confidently in front of an unintroduced crowd. Within a minute of the opening track though he’s made his point. He knows how to play a Prophet synthesiser for lo-fi buzzes and warm analogue chords, while singing unforced emotion, almost conversationally amidst tight and on-point backing tracks. Interacting with his set through the synthesiser, drum pads and microphone, the show was masterfully controlled. Neither showy nor short-cut, he performed each track with hands-on calm and meaning. Deep bass and abstract arrangements of electronic beats hit the spot, it made me want to compare the sound in places, to Flako Vs James Blake, Gang Colours Vs Wagon Christ or Jamie xx Vs Soulection. If that doesn’t mean anything then be sure to check out the “Underwaterfall EP” and listen to the title track really loud.

The crowd went from simply being there in the room when he started, to demanding an encore, clearly moved, physically and unavoidably. After the show there were many conversations, introductions and enthusiasms shared amongst the attendees, and Bearcubs himself. I hope to see more club night appearances from these realms of dance music, that resists the need for gun fingers or a predictable climax of “Bangers”. It would be nice to see some weekend nights promote some calm, futuristic soulful stuff because this moving music speaks volumes alongside bass lines and hype attitude.