Brief notes on the acts I saw at Supersonic, the music festival organised by Capsule at the Custard Factory in Birmingham on Saturday 22nd July 2006.

Una Corda - Very good set from the local post-rock boys (disclaimer - I live with one of them). They’re always good value but the size of the stage and the sound, not to mention their obvious pleasure at opening Supersonic, really brought out their best. Good crowd reaction too.

Hanne Hukkelburg - A complete switch of gear with this eclectic Norwegian band (instruments included saxophone, flute, accordion, violin and a bicycle. Yes, a mic-ed up bike) fronted by a diminutive singer with a beautiful voice and powerful presence. I liked a lot, especially the divine cover of the Pixies “Break My Bones”. Lovely.

Circulus - “Medieval Neo Acid Psych Folk” said Capsule and that’ll do as a description. I only caught the end of the set but it was hugely enjoyable with an old-worlde hippy-nerd vibe and very danceable. I need to see them again

Michael Gira - Think Johnny Cash in a really fucking bad mood. Okay, that’s a superficial description. Solo acoustic from the singer of Swans, one of the more aggressively negative industrial rock bands. This set was more subdued but still relentlessly dark and quite hypnotic. I was a little scared.

Modified Toy Orchestra - Previously experienced in November this was one of the acts I was most keen to see and they didn’t disappoint. On reflection the performance is as important as the music itself but it’s all tremendous fun with five guys in spiv-suits making strange noises with plastic toys they’ve fucked about with.

Broadcast - The legendary Birmingham band who epitomize that late 90’s era of retro-electronica experimental bands that Brum produced and who I’d never seen before, something I was determined to rectify. I’m a something of a loss to describe them but the sound they made was great, creating strange noises with great control, while singer Trish Keenan exuded indie-goddess power and attitude. I was rapt.

Isis were the post-rock / metal band I was keen to see on recommendation and they didn’t disappoint, giving me that anger and raw energy I love live (but can’t be bothered with on record - go figure). They were evil, they were loud, they were absurd, they were intelligent. For half an hour or so I was in love.

Zombi - I only caught a bit of their set but liked what I saw. Initial impressions were 70’s prog keyboards with drums, but it was more than that. The music was kinda techno-ish but the live drums really brought it all out in a kinda Math-rock way, maybe.

Rother & Moebius were the sort of act Supersonic was built for - two 70s electronica musicians who are legendary to the select group who filled the Theatre space. They were on about midnight and I was feeling a little tired so I lay down at the front and let their beautiful music wash over me while heavy metal raged outside. For a moment the ICA was in Birmingham and it was a good thing.

Shy Child - Another drums and keyboard act, this time more happy dancey than Zombi, they were the last act on and I liked them a lot. They’re playing the Sunflower lounge on August 24th and I think I might check them out again in a slightly less frazzled state.

As you can see I liked everything I saw and I didn’t see half the acts. Supersonic was tremendous and a credit to everyone involved.

On a personal note it was good to meet up with fellow photographer Stu (aka harri b) whose Supersonic shots are here. I got to play with his Through The Viewfinder contraption and think I might be hooked. Anyone got a defunct twin lens reflex box camera they don’t want?

There were, as expected, hoards of photographers at the festival, most with their fancypants DSLRs and monster lenses. (Here’s the Supersonic Flickr tag in case any of them feel like sharing.) I went with a manual SLR and 3200 speed Ilford film and it was good shooting bands in a very different way as I’ve gotten bored with gig photos generally. It was especially nice to be able to shoot in the dark at 1/60 f8! I also got a few comments as I stood at the stage changing lenses and winding on the film - “kicking it old school” was my reply. Here’s hoping the results, due in a week or so, are worth it.

I also bumped into Suzi, my old chum from Uni days who I thought was in London. Turns out she’s now in Nottingham and might be moving back to Brum, which was keen news. She’s the theremin player I’ve mentioned on this blog in the past.

So, a top day and no mistake. I’ll be there again next year for sure!