LIVE REVIEW: Dilettante, t l k, Badger @ Sage Gateshead (07.07.22) | NARC. | Reliably Informed | Music and Creative Arts News for Newcastle and the North East

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Image: Dilettante

The sixth instalment of Sage Gateshead’s From The Glasshouse, their pay what you feel series that incorporates all noises from the musical spectrum, tonight featured Dilettante headlining alongside Bristol’s t l k and Newcastle’s Badger.

Badger’s production could be compared to a mysophibic’s kitchen with how clean it was, and I frequently found myself impressed by the little details in each beat. However, Sage’s Hall 2 was just the wrong venue for the duo, as their kaleidoscopic sound needs a tight and compact room rather than polite cantina-style tables.

The room suited t l k far better, their stunning instrumentation sounding epic and grandiose with violins and bass providing a depth to each track. I felt like I could take on the world with this band soundtracking it, and became hypnotised by the way the pianist and bassist glided over each other vocally.

Dilettante emitted an awkward yet charming energy, easing the audience into their set smoothly with a joke or two. An impressive display of sounds was orchestrated, as instruments were swapped in and out, yet managing never to knock the energy behind the songs. There were moments when it became rocky, and another when the vocals were sampled over themselves.

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