Article originally written for http://www.state.ie/.
Richter Collective post-hardcore trio Jogging and electronic duo Nouveaunoise: they’re not exactly peas in a pod, but they’re joining forces on this balmy summer’s night at Galway’s Roisin Dubh for a free gig courtesy of Strange Brew. On the evidence of tonight’s show, they can be considered two of the leading lights on the domestic scene.
The good weather that’s in it means the crowd is sparser than usual for a Thursday night, but Nouveaunoise’s support set is received warmly – the duo deal in mellow, layered electronica, with two of their tunes in particular standing out: the atmospheric, hazy ‘Giron’, and ‘Cinnte’, a hypnotic, subtly propulsive tune that Four Tet would be proud to call his own. The atmosphere in the venue is pretty casual, with the duo asking how many songs they have time for (“seven!”) and if Jogging want to play (“at some stage”).
When Jogging take to the stage they launch into an electrifying ‘Bruises Like Bow-Ties’, yet as terrific an opener as it is, they only seem to get better as the gig goes on: considering their status as a relatively new band who’ve just released their (excellent) debut album, the three-piece are insanely good tonight, the relentless, furious pace and momentum never dropping for a second. Jogging’s sound owes much to the Dischord Records stable (Fugazi, Rites of Spring, etc.), but you can also draw comparisons with Future of the Left or the recently departed Giveamanakick. There’s some killer riffs at the heart of almost all their tunes, but what really seals the deal are the unexpected flourishes, such as the thrilling about-turn halfway through ‘Threadbare’, or the breathless, ecstatic climax of ‘Shattered Knees’. It’s tough to pick a highlight (no, it really is) but the immense ‘Not Simple’, with its wonderfully spiteful chorus, is the one I can’t get out of my head all next day. Amazing musicians with irrepressible energy, and credit must go to the soundman also: the sound is punishingly loud yet still crystal-clear tonight – no mean feat.
It’s no exaggeration to say there’s serious potential for an international breakthrough here, especially when you consider how accomplished this band sound in their relative infancy. We all know those dubstep/dance-favouring music fans who say they’ve lost faith in guitar bands, disillusioned by their blandness and lack of inspiration. Take them to see Jogging.
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