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Review: Ibibio Sound Machine, SWX – ‘Hope and positivity in every beat’
Tonight saw the first show of Ibibio Sound Machine’s UK tour for their new album Pull The Rope. Bristol has been kind to the band over the years, so what better place to start than the city’s independent venue, SWX?
Fans filtered into the sounds of DJ Michael Bower, the place a kaleidoscope of vibrant colour. With exquisite jumpsuits and multicoloured outfits all around, the had crowd made an effort to reflect Ibibio’s Eno Williams’ taste.
The band take to a stage packed full with every instrument you could need for a good time. Opening with Electricity, Eno Williams whips the crowd into an early frenzy as she emerges from the wings, resplendent in a silky yellow cape, spinning around to the music in jubilation.
is needed now More than ever
“Thank you so much for all your love over the years!!” Eno beams, as she does for the entire set. She looks visibly overwhelmed by the constant wall of love reflected back at her (well done Bristol).
Vocalist Eno Williams was a vibrant ball of energy and beaming throughout
Fire sees the band firing on all instruments as they dance and point skywards; the bongos and drums unite to create a fabulous bed of rhythm for everyone to move to.
There is a souped-up pure joy version of first ever single Let’s Dance (Yak Inek Unek), lyrically mixing the southeastern Nigerian native tongue of Ibibio with English. It’s funky, it’s disco, it’s everything Ibibio stands for in my book. Max Grunhard delivers a stunning performance tonight: he’s a bundle of energy, offering up non-stop sassy saxophone.
The band brought the party to SWX
Protection From Evil is offered to us as protection against a “crazy world”. Produced by Hot Chip, you can certainly hear an influence shining through electronically. Three-quarters of the way through the song lifts and kicks off, with wild sax as the song turns into a party.
Karri Bannerman is a guitar superhero throughout and does the typical guitarist mouthing of solos with strained expressions. Williams bows in his honour and becomes a human mic stand for him. Eno shows admiration for her band constantly; the amount of talent on the stage is quite astounding.
Guitarist Karri Bannerman showed his talent to full effect
Sweet like Sugar commands us to “Bounce Bristol bounce! Bounce Bristol bounce!” Williams is now leaping around dancing as if the happiest person on the planet: her step count must have hit three million during the set. Happiness personified.
Rivalling her for happiest on the planet has to be Afla Sackey on bongos, bringing the energy and driving beats to the performance. He’s also given the job of encore crowd-whipping as the band leave the stage. He does a fine job, then hits us with an intense bongo solo which impresses everyone including himself.
Williams met fans and signed albums at the merch stand after the show
The band steps forward to take centre stage and hits us with a virtuoso solo on everything / everywhere – because they can.
The album title track Pull The Rope is a worthy encore song, celebrating the new album with as much vivacity and vigour as humanly possible. Their music is full of hope and positivity in every beat.
The set was all I wanted and more.
All images: Matt Barnes
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