Submotion Orchestra/Planas

XOYO,

London

31/10/2011

The final gig of Submotion Orchestra’s ‘Finest Hour’ album tour definitely has a feel of celebration… and so it should. A peerless blend of dark basslines and dreamy vocals, of soulful brass and playful keys, it is one of those records that seems to fit any situation, being both uplifting and mournful in equal measure.

Supporting act, Planas, also uses a blend of instruments and electronic elements to achieve his sound live. Unfortunately, the sub bass on which dubstep so depends seems to be too much for the soundsystem, causing it to peak and rattle. Still, ‘Wasabi Thunder’ manages to triumph over the din, its gorgeous mix of 80s synths and evil sounding wob-wob bass sounding massive. Luckily, the sound problems are fixed for the main act, and Submotion Orchestra open with the instrumental ‘Back Chat’, an eerie masterpiece of ominous keys and expressive trumpet lines, engineer-cum-dubstep producer Ruckspin making it all sound beautifully crisp. Ruby Wood then joins them on stage and from there it is a blur of heavily effected vocals, moody basslines and soulful turns from the keyboards and trumpet. The beauty of this band is in how the various elements work together. When Ruby is singing, the vocal is the centrepiece, all human emotion and lovelorn lyrics. When she is not, the keyboard, trumpet and percussion take over, sending the audience to somewhere else entirely.

All the high points of the album are here, from the jazzy, almost jungle sounds of ‘Always’, to the beautifully stripped back ‘Hymn For Him’. However, the highpoint has to be the album title track. ‘Finest Hour’ is all rising keys and soaring vocals, a perfect representation of what this band are all about. Chivvied by Ruby’s revelation that last night’s crowd demanded four encores, the audience cheer them back just the twice this time. For most inside XOYO, you can tell it’s not enough.

Jet Vevers