Music / Reviews
Review: GOAT, O2 Academy – ‘An experimental coalescence of fusion’
There are few greater mysteries in the musical world than Swedish experimental group GOAT. Supposedly raised in a remote Northern commune in Korpilombolo, the Gothenburg-based band brought their unique show to Bristol last Friday in celebration of their third and eponymous album.
First up was fellow Swedish band MaidaVale. Beginning on Gothenburg’s underground psych circuit, MaidaVale have been making waves for almost a decade – releasing their third studio album this year, Sun Dog.
The quartet played an array of songs from all three of their albums, receiving a warm applause from the sold-out South West crowd. As the group’s set came to an end, the blue–tinted lights quickly turned to an ominously red shine – GOAT were to arrive.
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Just past nine, the Bristol audience were quickly silenced with an Alice Coltrane–esque sound blasting through the speakers. The almost forbidding noises continued, and the crowd’s restless cheers for GOAT grew ever–louder.
In response, five of the band’s seven touring members made their way into the sea of fervent screams. Anonymously masked, one member — dressed in something that closely resembled a cowboy in a Western — picked up his guitar and burst into the opening track from the group’s 2024 album, One More Death.
Soon joined by his fellow bandmates, the backstage door was reopened, welcoming the uniquely iconic voices of the group’s front members. “Come today, and rise up” was sung, and it was fitting. The crowd responded to this call with continued cheers and an omnipresent, collective dance.
The band dresses in outlandish costumes and masks, befitting the ritualistic, trancelike nature of their performance
As the mesmerising introduction came to a close, there was a noticeably pungent smell of incense in the air — something that only added to the band’s distinctive image. They wasted no time, quickly transitioning into Goatbrain before seamlessly shifting into 2016 track Goatfuzz.
What came next was one of the set’s many highlights: Under No Nation. From 2022 album Oh Death, the song opened with the guitarists playing alongside the evening’s brilliant bongo player — surrounded by the singer’s energetic, illustrious dance moves. The chorus brought about a series of collective claps from the enthused observers.
In what progressively felt more like an experimental, improvised studio jam, GOAT moved through their set with Let it Bleed, Frisco Beaver, and Dollar Bill. While no words were spoken to the watching admirers, the band’s singers continued to dance to the audience — often getting close, as if to feel a connection between maker and consumer.
After a brief — but deserved — break, the band chimed the start of 2014’s Talk to God. Slowing the pace, the track acted as a breather — for both audience and band — from the nonstop energetic movements rippling through every corner of the venue. Yet, this did not last for long as the Swedish musical experimentalists burst into the bassy riff of Golden Dawn, before with latest album closer Ouroboros.
Audience cries for “ONE MORE SONG!” were answered as the group came back out to play a phenomenal encore, beginning with GOAT classic Queen of the Underground. Voices were raised into a collectively clamorous sound, soon accompanied by one of the evening’s final guitar riffs. Let it Burn closed the night off, with huge applause from the Bristol crowd.
The 90 minute set had the electric feel of an improvised studio jam
Swathes of fans started to move for the exits, only to hurriedly U–turn when the Swedish group returned to the stage for one final time. Much to the delight of the fans, the group showed their appreciation for the evening’s support, before playing one final track, Run To Your Mama.
Starting with three booming chords, the crowd’s movements resumed; the band’s singers repeated “BOY, YOU BETTER RUN TO YOUR MAMA NOW” — slowly incorporating the voices of the crowd; at its peak, the band burst into one final display of their unwavering musical talent – guitars, bongos, and bass filling the room.
There was a feeling in the air that every person in attendance had witnessed something unrepeatable – truthfully, they had. In what was a 90–minute, 13–song experimental coalescence of fusion music, the band displayed their talents through the improvisation and pure enjoyment of live music.
If you ever get the chance, GOAT are a must see.
All images: GOAT
This is an edited version of a review provided by The Bristol Gig Guide, the best resource for Bristol gigs.
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