Factory International's Aviva Studios is recognised as a staple of Manchester's arts and culture scene, hosting a diverse range of legendary musicians such as Mac DeMarco, FKA twigs, and Janelle Monae, while also showcasing performances from body artist Maria Abramovich and providing a home for Hamlet: Hail to the Thief which fused Radiohead's seminal album and Shakespeare's tragedy in a once-in-a-lifetime combination of theatre and music. Thus, it’s no surprise that the legendary Australian band King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard took to the venue for their Halloween rave set. With a whopping 27 studio albums and 64 live albums spanning many genres, they have amassed a huge fanbase, with something appealing to all.
Their style relies heavily on psychedelic visuals and the mystical, featuring numerous Dungeons & Dragons references in their merchandise. Their performance at Aviva Studios was listed as a DJ set, not a full concert showcasing their work, so many in attendance were unsure what to expect. However, people of all ages descended upon the venue for a night of spooky raving, donning costumes and embracing the Halloween spirit: this included a plethora of people dressed as wizards, one adorned by a multitude of lizards stuck to his robe and hat.
King Gizzard's stage set up focused around a large synthesizer, with five band members poised around and another on drums. It was entirely improvised, with psychedelic visuals that were adjusted to match the tempo and genre they were playing. The band members responded to each other flawlessly, building upon one another to create a continuous flow of music that coordinated beautifully. The genres of the night ranged from techno, funk-psych, and synth-pop. Many sections were accompanied with live instruments such as a trumpet, flute and at one point even looping in a didgeridoo, while another featured Mongolian throat singing.
The members of King Gizzard mainly faced each other, creating an impression of connection and cohesiveness as they performed with each other and responded to the crowd’s energy. Their visuals seemed to function as psychedelic reproductions of what was happening on stage, changing into black and white for the heavier, more techno-influenced parts of the set, visually mirroring the improvised nature of the music and causing an entire warehouse full of vampires, minions, and Doctor Whos to dance to their pounding bass.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have certainly solidified themselves as not just a band but an excellent live DJ ensemble, with a set filled with Halloween-themed spooky magic that also showcased their talent and energy. Here's to hoping this won't be the last time the band perform a rave set.
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