The Beat Surrender

I’ve been a Quantic Soul Orchestra fan since I first got my hands on the superb Stampede album, one that at the time I thought must contain samples, but was blown away to discover that this was actually Will Holland (pictured above) and his new band using complete live instrumentation.

From here I’ve looked to spread the word where possible, lending CDs to people I thought would appreciate them and particularly loved the hook ups with the legendary Spanky Wilson, who unfortunately isn’t with them tonight. In fact my favourite Quantic Soul Orchestra track could almost be my theme tune, Don’t Joke With A Hungry Man…indeed.

Tonight I have a perilous obstacle to get over first, one that is the bain of reviewers, promoters and tour managers lives. Yes I’m talking about the Guest List. Tonight proves no exception, despite the fact that I know my PR Contact who has arranged this for me has done their part to the full, it seems the person at the bands end hasn’t done theirs.

So we are stuck in the queue for five minutes while someone from the venue frantically looks round for the tour manager, he surfaces, looks a bit confused and bewildered and finally the penny drops when I mention my PR contact, we’re in and mighty relieved too as this event is pretty much sold out.

Once inside our one man, one woman rolling maul comes to a stop at the bar quicker than a French second rower in Cardiff. Venues are always a nightmare when they have just opened and this is no exception, after the first drink though things settle down at the bar and we get through a respectable but not over the top volume for a gig on a Friday night.

While we are getting closer to our alcoholic side, we wait for the support band to come on, which is a pointless exercise as there isn’t one tonight! No grumbles there though as logistically it would be a nightmare, the band have seven or eight members on stage at a time, the stage itself is tiny and they also have a wide variety of instruments, room it seems is at a premium everywhere in the venue tonight.

The band comes on later than expected, but nobody cares as the Quantic Soul Orchestra playing in Leeds live is an event not just any old gig. They are quickly into their stride and it’s obvious that they are set up to focus on the bands 4th album. Tropidelico is South American flavoured, taking Cuban inspiration and weaving in elements of funk and salsa.

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