We were a 100yds or so from the venue Trof which the sign outside told us was an eating and drinking palace. We hovered at the door discussing whether to eat here or try and find somewhere else. The decision was made we were going in...
Inside was like walking through a curtain. Don't get me wrong it wasn't like walking into a salubrious restaurant but you could immediately feel the atmosphere lighten from the dingy street. This was all helped by a relaxed warm greeting from the staff behind the bar. I know this might sound counter intuitive but the place had a relaxed buzz about it, even though we could see we were by far the oldest in there we just felt chilled straight away. Alright I know this was supposed to be about the music but I just thought I should set the record straight with myself if no one else that my prejudices were totally unfounded(as most prejudices are). We had a very tasty meal and some good beer to set us up for the musical aperitif.
Once we saw a few people heading upstairs to the music venue we tentatively followed. My first impressions were that we'd been invited around to someones flat and the furniture hadn't arrived yet. It was smaller than I'd expected it had a bar on one wall and on the windowed side there was a sound desk at one end with a corner stage at the other. More friendly chatting to the bar staff and Chris the sound engineer was the lead in to the support act Francis Lung, who did a fine job of unsettling some of the young fellas at the front of the audience as he wandered off the stage and into the midst of them.
By now I was really starting to enjoy this venue the intimacy and relaxed vibe was great. Throughout the support Kishi Bashi (or K Ishibashi) had been sat at the back just behind the sound desk like he was just keeping an eye on this house party he'd thrown. One young fella walked over and pulled a violin out of a bag for Kishi Bashi to sign and he smilingly obliged I was really enjoying this vibe.
Soon enough he had moved from the back to the stage and showing some thought for his standing crowd invited people that could not see to move to places at the front obviously aware that people are just as interested to see the magic as well as hear it. From the first stroke of his violin I could feel the reflex action of a smile across my face. My ears channelling sonic bliss straight in allowed muscles to relax and mundane thoughts of everyday life to disappear while I just focused on that little corner of the room. At times you could see him hopping like a cat on hot coals as his feet worked feverishly pressing the next pedal to help build the soundscape he was creating and all the while everyone in the room was transfixed on him. It was amazing to watch as he moved from a violin run to beatboxing to singing. The set list went through quite a few of the songs on the 151a album as well as a few others I'd not heard before but thankfully included my favourite track Manchester. The night was over all too soon with the wonderful Bright Whites bringing one of my favourite music filled nights to an end. I can honestly say I have never seen someone so talented entertain so few but I'm so glad my first experience of seeing Kishi Bashi live was at Trof Fallowfield because it really added something to the whole feel of the night. I do think the Lowry should beg Kishi Bashi to grace their venue though so his performance can be fully appreciated and he can reap the rewards of his amazing talent.
Not sure if you can tell from this but I and my wife had a fantastic night all made possible by a little gem of a venue with a great crowd a cool sound engineer by the name of Chris and not least an amazingly talented Kishi Bashi.......
For all things Kishi Bashi here's where to go
http://www.kishibashi.com/
To check out the Eating and Drinking palace that is Trof Fallowfield and it's staff
http://www.troffallowfield.co.uk/
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