Go-go Penguin at Manchester’s Albert Hall

Having patrolled a busy balcony in an attempt to find the best place to experience the intense sounds of the jazztronica (yes, jazz meets electronica) 3-piece that is Go-go Penguin, we eventually settled back downstairs near the safety of the bar and the exit. During this important reconnaissance mission our ears were treated to the soulful sounds of Andreya Triana, one of the warm up acts. I was becoming progressively intoxicated due to the cannabis oil that had been put in my cup of tea an hour or so previously, during pre-drinks. I had no idea who she was then but Andreya Triana was starting to sound marvellous and I would’ve happily listened to her all night. I think the tune that caught my attention was a stripped back version of her song called ‘that’s alright with me’, which features no more than Andreya's voice accompanied by a guy with a telecaster (check it here). By the end of her set I had been hit by about wave 4 of the cannabis oil and had become sufficiently stoned to the bone. Eventually Go-go penguin started and ripples of sshhush’s were audible as audience members ordered their slightly more tipsy friends to simmer down and appreciate the music. The tipsy friends immediately obliged, perhaps as a show of appreciation for the fact that Go-go Penguin are a local band. It felt nice to be amongst an audience of people who were serious about music, even that far back in the crowd.

I don’t really remember much of the gig; Go-go Penguin mesmerized from start to finish. I hardly remember songs starting and ending. All I remember was looking at 4 yellow stage lights and feeling as if I was somehow communicating with them, and then our pal leaving about three quarters of the way into their set because the oil had caught up with him and he needed to go to bed. I suppose that’s a sign they’re pretty good musicians. With just a double bass, a drum-kit, and a grand piano, they seemed to captivate the entire Albert Hall. If you’re into jazz, electronica, trip-hop, or hearing live drum beats that sound like they were made electronically, then you should definitely check out Go-go Penguin.

The stained glass windows of the chapel hall made the whole thing comparable to a religious experience. It was as if a sermon was being delivered to us in the form of song; the piano melodies were the words of a preacher. Or maybe I just need to lay off the cannabis oil… Anyway: in the name of the father, the son, and the holy spirit, I would highly recommend seeing this holy Manc-based trinity which consists of: Chris Illingworth (Pianist), Nick Blacka (Bassist), and Rob Turner (drummer). Amen.

- Slider and the Goose