Tonight’s warm summer evening sees us arrive at one the standalone gigs at the South Facing Festival open-air concert series set in Crystal Palace Bowl. Think Gunnersbury Park crossed with Somerset House’s summer series. Come to think of it, we caught Mogwai playing at the latter – looking at the date scarily 18 years ago now!
Now, as seasoned Mogwaiins (new word we’ve invented, sounds like Hawaiian), we have since learnt to come prepared with pro ear plugs to keep enjoying to their often ‘high-volume’ sets and drums while simultaneously saving our ear drums for future battering. It turns out this is the second time we’re seeing Mogwai this year. The first time having been covered here by our gig mate tonight, the lovely Hannah.
It was a treat to hear them perform a similar set again, this time outdoors where you got an additional sensory immersion – feeling the cool breeze, bringing us into all our senses. Had the original Crystal Palace still been standing, its glass structure would have shattered from the first song. Now that would be a good music video. The band swiftly moved into new album territory with “Hi Chaos” which had an old-school Mogwai feel with new-fangled uplifting parts and already sounds to us like an old friend. It was great to see drums and bass positioned centre-stage, which we thought aptly reflected where the focus of the music lies, in their rhythm section, cocooned, of course, in layer upon layer of sounds. Their set was true to (most excellent) form and went down a treat. We particular enjoyed their rendition of ‘Remurdered’, with its dark electronic riff set to a colourful disco and classics including “Mogwai Fear Satan.”
Reflecting the ongoing current affairs climate, there was a distinct Palestine theme throughout the evening. Mogwai’s drummer had ‘celtic’ written in Arabic on his t-shirt (admit it, you’re impressed that we speak Arabic at Joyzine!), a nod we’re sure to Glasgow-based Celtic FC who we hear he’s an avid supporter of. There was also a Palestinian flag on stage throughout the festival and support band Lankum made clear their view points on the political situation. Their music was bold, traditional with a delightfully dark twist and droning throughout. They start their set with a song on just one note, rhythmically played. With perfect 3-part harmonies they used an assortment of instruments including, we think, hurdy gurdy and harmonium.
They end chillingly with their version of a traditional song ‘Go Dig my Grave’ with themes of suicide and general doom. It brings to mind the message on the back of one of tonight’s audience member’s t-shirt ‘Choose Death.’ Like their first song, it has a very simple theme and builds. It’s then, playing at their simplest, where we think their strengths lie. A feat which is probably difficult for them, having so many talented musicians in tow.
On before Lankum, Twilight Sad gave a blistering performance with singer James Alexander Graham being the perfect front person to their intense music. He commented ‘it’s like getting back on a bike’ – we assume referring to them not having played live much since the pandemic but given the ease and grace of their set, it looks like they’ve been audax cycling since then and indeed the first time round.
The verdict? Must-see bands at a must-visit venue. With London’s very own version of the Eiffel Tower in Crystal Palace’s transmitting station overlooking the Bowl, and the Crystal Palace sphinx’s in view, it’s a tourist spot right there.
South Facing Festival: Website / Facebook / Instagram
Mogwai: Website / Facebook / Instagram
Lankum: Website / Facebook / Instagram
Review by Caroline Low
With huge thanks to an all-female team: Julia Hawkins (photos), Rachel White at Brick PR and Hannah Boothby.
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