Live Review | Shabaka @ Village Underground, London

Ava Manthorpe

I’m a concert photographer and writer from Brighton. I love cats coffee and cameras.

Former Comet Is Coming and Sons Of Kemet member Shabaka Hutchings brings solo show to London’s Village Underground

Shabaka’s performance at London’s Village Underground was a masterclass in artistic reinvention, delivering a multi-sensory journey that transcended the boundaries of a traditional jazz gig.

The ex-Comet Is Coming saxophonist took a break from his main instrument in favour of an array of flutes, but returned to his roots for new album ‘Of The Earth,’ which combines elements of both instruments. His iconic, heavy-breathed style of playing makes its comeback alongside the mirage of alternative jazz flute he’s become known for over the past few years.

The evening began with an atmospheric vinyl DJ set from Tara Lily, whose tranquil forest soundscapes and bird sounds gradually shifted into a rhythmic jazz breakdown before receding back into the sounds of the start, slow and mysterious. There was no movement from the DJ, only to change the vinyl. Though she stood perfectly still without interacting with the crowd, it was a beautifully calming half hour: the perfect way to ease into Shabaka.

As the room filled with the scent of incense, Shabaka took the stage, signaling a departure from the high-energy of his past work with Sons of Kemet in favor of an intimate and meditative sonic experience. Opening with solo flute, the set evolved into a luscious soundscape supported by drummer Austin Williamson’s gorgeous percussion and an array of woodwinds – most notably the alto flute – alongside electronic textures triggered from a table of gadgets.

The crowd remained in respectful silence under dim, swampy lighting, witnessing a range of experimentation that moved from the ambient IDM jazz of ‘Those Of The Sky’ to the pitch-shifted vocal urgency of ‘Go Astray.’ Even when picking up the saxophone for ‘A Future Untold,’ Shabaka’s playing was marked by a mournful restraint, though brief flashes of his signature style sparked moments of euphoric dancing.

Ultimately, the night was a seamless amalgamation of powerful wind and soothing flute, which was closed with a poignant message of peace and a brighter future before returning for the encore.