SBTRKT is an artist who needs no introduction at this point. Known for percussion-heavy, intricately emotive melodies and a fab multi-year collaboration with Sampha, he's an artist with a revered library. Last weekend at Oakland's The Fox Theater, the talented SBTRKT, with two supporting musicians focusing on various percussion setups, played to a packed house.
Filling the night with mostly new tracks such as "New Dorp, New York" and "Temporary View," the three musicians focused on the instrumentals. Bringing in just about every percussion instrument imaginable, from cow bell to drum machine to traditional drum set, there was no shortage of melodic depth. And, please, don't worry; he definitely jammed out on "Wildfire" -- Yukimi's vocals rang out over the crowd before bringing in the well-loved melody, and oh, how we danced.
The encore was filled with the energy and wild percussion solos that fans so look forward to from SBTRKT. His 2011 remix of Radiohead's "Lotus Flower" brought the jam band, drum and bass elements to the set. Ending the night with Jessie Ware collaboration "Right Thing To Do," SBTRKT came out and sang to the crowd while the bass and percussion bellowed behind him.
Those who have been fortunate enough to see Sampha perform alongside SBTRKT may have felt the set was a bit lacking compared to past performances. There was something missing from the night that could have only been filled by live vocals and the palpable energy these two artists bring to the floor when together. Although the artists did supply their voices in a few moments throughout the set, the pre-recorded nature of the collaboration wealth that SBTRKT has curated definitely left us wanting a little more.
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