Dijon's electrifying performance at Brixton Academy showcased an ambitious and densely produced sonic landscape that blurred the lines between R&B, electronic prog rock, and avant-garde music. The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter treated the audience to a 21-track setlist, spanning two hours of non-stop musical exploration.
The evening began with the bedroom R&B of his debut album Absolutely, seamlessly woven into the experimental pop mindset of Baby. Dijon's setup was nothing short of epic, featuring a vast array of synthesisers, live drums, electric guitar, bass, and even a violinist joining in on stage. The band's chemistry was palpable, with each musician fully immersed in the music and the performance.
As the set progressed, the soundscapes shifted and evolved, incorporating industrial sounds, phased and filtered rhythms, and even live instrumentation like banjo and tambourine. Dijon's voice soared through the electronic prog rock arrangements of tracks like "Rewind," while his lyrics and melodies wove together in a tapestry of sonic storytelling.
While some moments felt slightly mundane amidst the frenetic pace of 21 songs in two hours, the performance's climax was nothing short of breathtaking. Smoke enveloped the stage, lights dimmed, and the band unleashed an eerie, futurist soundscape that pulsed with grungy chords and industrial beats. It was a moment of raw emotion, as evident on tracks like "Rewind" and "Talk Down," where Dijon's passion and anger poured out through his music.
As the show drew to a close, the band segued into an 80s-inspired finale, with mirrorball lights illuminating the starry-eyed crowd. But in a final flourish, a clarinetist joined Dijon for a haunting encore performance of "Rodeo Clown," the noise gradually diminishing until all that remained was Dijon's voice, suspended against the darkness, a silhouette against the spotlight.
The overall effect was nothing short of transformative. Dijon's music, once recognizable in its R&B roots, had been elevated to another plane by his fearless auteurship and boundless creativity. The performance left little doubt that this is an artist to watch – one who will continue to push the boundaries of sound and inspire audiences for years to come.
The evening began with the bedroom R&B of his debut album Absolutely, seamlessly woven into the experimental pop mindset of Baby. Dijon's setup was nothing short of epic, featuring a vast array of synthesisers, live drums, electric guitar, bass, and even a violinist joining in on stage. The band's chemistry was palpable, with each musician fully immersed in the music and the performance.
As the set progressed, the soundscapes shifted and evolved, incorporating industrial sounds, phased and filtered rhythms, and even live instrumentation like banjo and tambourine. Dijon's voice soared through the electronic prog rock arrangements of tracks like "Rewind," while his lyrics and melodies wove together in a tapestry of sonic storytelling.
While some moments felt slightly mundane amidst the frenetic pace of 21 songs in two hours, the performance's climax was nothing short of breathtaking. Smoke enveloped the stage, lights dimmed, and the band unleashed an eerie, futurist soundscape that pulsed with grungy chords and industrial beats. It was a moment of raw emotion, as evident on tracks like "Rewind" and "Talk Down," where Dijon's passion and anger poured out through his music.
As the show drew to a close, the band segued into an 80s-inspired finale, with mirrorball lights illuminating the starry-eyed crowd. But in a final flourish, a clarinetist joined Dijon for a haunting encore performance of "Rodeo Clown," the noise gradually diminishing until all that remained was Dijon's voice, suspended against the darkness, a silhouette against the spotlight.
The overall effect was nothing short of transformative. Dijon's music, once recognizable in its R&B roots, had been elevated to another plane by his fearless auteurship and boundless creativity. The performance left little doubt that this is an artist to watch – one who will continue to push the boundaries of sound and inspire audiences for years to come.