After recently supporting Biffy Clyro on their European run, De Staat are back to successfully crafting their multilayered, danceable and ambitious live sound. The Dutch newcomers Banji were taken along for the ride in the cozy Substage in Karlsruhe, Germany.
De Staat live at Substage Karlsruhe. Photo by Alexander Loeb
Since the start of the promotion run for their debut album Freshcakes via multiple single releases over the past two years, Banji have quickly become newcomers to get excited about. The quartet masters the art of translating odd sounds and samples into their fusion of Indie, LoFi and RnB. Having supported De Staat in Amsterdam previously this year, Banji are now bringing their charm to places outside of the Netherlands.
The irresistible groove of Chills opens their set with swagger attitude, yet with enough drive to keep the audience's eyes peeled. Singer Morris Brandt makes use of hands-on vocal effects on stage while backed by a group of perfectly locked-in musicians. This is also showcased in the laid-back feel of Dogbreath where left-field synthesizers clash with Brandt's half-rapped vocal style.
Banji live at Substage Karlsruhe. Photo by Alexander Loeb
Instrumentally, the group divides parts among synthesizers, odd guitars and sounds triggered by drummer Jasper Meurs, who is wielding both arms between buttons and trigger-pads attached to his otherwise minimalist kit.
Even though it is visible the quartet is eager to impress audiences with a varied setlist, the likes of TalkieWalkie and Chatterbox truly win over new fans. The uncommon nature of an act using solely live sampling techniques hints at an exciting future for the band from Utrecht.
De Staat live at Substage Karlsruhe. Photo by Alexander Loeb
Not ones to be predictable, De Staat take to the stage with a rotating setlist. This is underpinned by stage lighting in the three colors red, yellow and blue, which the group from Nijmegen have used to structure their releases over the past year. Acting as an auditory art project that captures all their eclectically different styles and moods, the quintet opens their set with the raging red track Look At Me.
"Do you like it? Is it weird? Good."
From the first minute onwards, singer Torre Florim has locked the audience into a tough grip, ready to take listeners down any stylistic path. What may not be as clearly deductible from studio recordings becomes visible in a live setting: Florim switches between different degrees of raging madness and role playing wherever suitable, engages in dance-offs with bandmate Rocco Hueting and embraces weirdness to its fullest degree, making the set fly by within the blink of an eye.
Overall, the band showcases songs from across five records. The setlist is particularly focused on new tracks such as the driving Head On The Block, Numbers Up or the pensive One Day from blue. De Staat bring a rather small yet efficient lighting production with them that underlines the mood for each song. Older fan favourites such as Make Way For The Passenger or the obscure Old Macdonald Don't Have No Farm No More all seemingly blend in with newer releases.
In swirling and beeping guitar tones, it is Vedran Mircetic who puts the quintet a hundred miles ahead of the rest. With riff work that sounds as if teleported from another dimension, the live sound of De Staat is one to remember. In their densely-packed track list, De Staat focus on making music rather than addressing the audience frequently. This is not an issue however and is reciprocated by a dancing audience and moshpit fever during Witch Doctor.
A three-song-encore, consisting of Devil's Blood, Paying Attention and Kitty Kitty, puts De Staat's set of 100 minutes to an end. Although the newest single Peace, Love & Profit was not played, it is hard to begrudge the band for doing so considering their bulletproof repertoire. The optimally sized venue as well as the perfect live sound of the band make for a captivating experience for everyone. While Who's Gonna Be The GOAT has them question their status in comparison to other peers in- and outside the music industry, De Staat truly are one of the greatest live bands around.
Rating: 5/5 feathers
You can check out Peace, Love & Profit over here:
De Staat played:
Look at Me
Danger (reprise outro)
Blues Is Dead
Input Source Select
Numbers Up
Old Macdonald Don't Have No Farm No More
Make the Call, Leave It All
One Day
Murder Death
Who's Gonna Be the GOAT?
Make Way for the Passenger
Pikachu
Mona Lisa
Head on the Block
Witch Doctor
Encore:
16. Devil's Blood 17. Paying Attention
18. Kitty Kitty
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