Buzz’ Ayaz have been on a short tour to support their new self-titled album, a set of tracks that are rhythmic, uplifting and perfectly in keeping with their message of hope for unity in Nicosia the divided capital of Cyprus. Also notable is that the band members come from both sides of the political and cultural divide. The Jam Jar has been a hub for Bristol’s music and arts since 2014 and there’s something about the vibrant stage painting that perfectly suited the psychedelic vibe of both bands.
Support came from Bristol band Redmoor who tag themselves as “World-Psych-Kraut”. Marco Sisto (guitar, vocals, synth), Leonardo Aldegani (drums) and Mike Robertson (bass guitar) brought us under their spell by starting their set with ‘Levant,’ a gently optimistic track that slowly builds bass and guitar riffs into a hypnotic miasma. It feels like they are tapping into ancient worlds, channelling long-abandoned gothic buildings and tuning into ley line energy. They join a small selection of bands I’ve seen live that you would not be surprised to find playing at sunrise on a misty morning in a stone circle like Avebury or Castlerigg. On one hand they channel the kind of sonic drifting you would hear from The Doors, but then on the other you get the standout track ‘Downtown Stroller’ (taken from their most recent release) which combines the power of fighting giants with a horror film soundtrack to a chase through the woods at night.
Setlist: Levant | Cinematique | Untitled | Downtown Stroller | Pity The Living | YUK | Man on the Moor | Spring Ball
Redmoor socials: Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | YouTube
Suitably warmed up by Redmoor the audience were wonderfully primed for Buzz’ Ayaz. Having heard the album so many times it was great to see as well as hear the instruments that make this uplifting music. Apart from 𝗨𝗹𝗮𝘀̧ 𝗢̈𝗴̆𝘂̈𝗰̧ on drums and 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀 on bass synth and organ there is the wonderfully rare site of 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁 on a bass clarinet that is nearly as tall as him and band leader 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗼𝘂 on the electric tzouras, a three-stringed instrument with microtonal frets and a body made from an old cigar box. But when you combine them all you get a glorious sound with cell-vibrating low notes from the bass clarinet and synth mixing with the high twang of the tzouras which often doubles the vocal lines.
But enough of the musical science, from the moment Buzz’ Ayaz started playing they created a happy forcefield around the venue and their infectious rhythms and melodic optimism began to slowly bring the audience to life and soon swaying and foot-tapping gave way to full-on dancing from stage to bar. When you have the high/low stomp of ‘Buzzi Ayazi’, the infectious chant of ‘Zali’, and the fuzzed-up power of ‘Arkos’ in your set then you would have to be made of stone not to end up dancing. 99% of the audience may not have understood their spoken language but they all responded to the feel and drive of the music. They also played new music including the moving ‘Stisha’ (translates as ‘ghosts’) which they wrote in response to the tragedy of the migrant boat Adriana sinking off the coast of Greece in 2023.
But I can’t finish the review without my appreciation of the rhythmic force of both bands. It was a tale of two drummers with both acts being driven by outstanding players. Redmoor’s Leonardo Aldegani was a massive presence in style and stature and brought a lightness of touch when needed as well as being able to turn the power on at the perfect moment. Buzz’ Ayaz’s 𝗨𝗹𝗮𝘀̧ 𝗢̈𝗴̆𝘂̈𝗰̧ was hard not to watch throughout the show. Not only was he able to switch rhythms at will and bring accented reactions to Antoniou’s tzouras runs, he played the entire gig with the most enormous smile on his face.
You may not be able to catch Buzz’ Ayaz on this tour but I have no doubt they will go from strength to strength and be back in the UK soon. When they are, catch them if you can as I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I also had a brief, but lovely, chat with Antonis from the band and I want to thank him for sending me the setlist so I could include it here.
Setlist: Anapnoes | Fokon | Efdji | Buzzi Ayazi | Fysa | Floga | Meres | Ate Pale | Arkos | Stisha | Spitha | Yelia je ttelia | Zali | Throisma| Buzzi Ayazi
Buzz’ Ayaz: Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram
Review by Paul F Cook
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