This wasn’t your typical Monday night. On stage two masked, polka-dotted figures with unsettlingly long prosthetic noses emit alien gargles and perform strange stretches and gestures. The one called Khn wields a double-necked guitar/bass and wears a flowing long golden wig; while drummer Klek’s helmet glows with diamond shaped lights. This is Angine de Poitrine - who, if you take them at their word, are two 333-year-old space-time voyagers who have formed a self-described ‘mantra-rock Dada Pythago-Cubist orchestra’.
It’s also possible they’re two indie musicians from Quebec. Either way, they’ve now landed in Camden and their show is the hottest ticket in town. That’s because, if you haven’t heard Angine de Poitrine over the last few months, you’ve almost certainly seen them. Their shows have been watched by millions online, fans have obsessed over their costumes and their performances, and their lore has immediately become part of rock iconography.
And now this, their first UK tour, sold out in minutes. It means a frenzied atmosphere has enveloped the Electric Ballroom. The crowd constantly lift their arms to make the band’s trademark diamond sign back at the duo. The band pause between songs, sharing messages, but it’s just glitchy sounds. Indeed the only discernable word you can make out as they address the crowd is a robotic ‘Looooddoonnnn’.
This should all be too weird to be this big but, from the moment opening track Angor kicks in, it’s clear why it is - the duo are in lockstep, their hypnotic and hyper-precise grooves and microtonal melodies have the crowd bouncing, bodies crowdsurfing across the sea of people. The grooves are tight, the songs build and build, louder and louder. Is it prog? Math rock? Mostly, it’s just exuberantly, undeniably fun. A party band from another planet.
There’s a joyfulness to all of it and it comes to a head as the show ends with the propulsive, euphoric space swing of Fabienk and Sherpa. The grooves become all consuming. But then the lights of the diamonds on their helmets switch from white light to red. It is time: the travellers must continue on their journey.
