Jagwar Ma at Village Underground

Despite having been likened to Tame Impala, with whom they toured earlier this year, as well as Django Django, Jagwar Ma’s music is markedly dance-driven live, and the influence of the Stone Roses and Happy Mondays is certainly discernible. The Australian-formed band delivers a streamlined show to a crowd as eager and enthusiastic as it gets on a Tuesday night.

A projection of shapes, patterns and other abstract images serve as the backdrop to the band, who are also foregrounded by strobe lighting effects, all of which create the perfect visual accompaniment to Jagwar Ma’s kaleidoscopic live set, which is filled with plenty of distortion and reverb. Opening with Man I Need, the band hit all the gems from their debut album, Howlin. The night becomes especially exalting when the trio charge Village Underground with their recognisable, spacey beats, which they then expand upon and render in a gritty manifestation, with plenty of bass to boot.

Come Save Me is perhaps their most well known song and it garners all the cheers expected of a hit single at the start of its distinct percussive beat. However, the show’s most memorable moments arrive with the escalating pulse of Uncertainty and the textured, psychedelic-synth layering of The Throw. Jagwar Ma reveal a new tune or two, which may be just enough to satiate those eagerly awaiting a follow-up to their 2013 album.

With a solid foundation of material and the demonstrable dexterity to manipulate this source material into a buzzing performance, hopefully Jagwar Ma will release new work soon before falling into obscurity.  

Frances Lai
Photo: David East

For further information about Jagwar Ma and future events visit here.

Watch the video for The Throw here: