It all started at this year’s Supernormal festival where I first discovered the mind-altering spectacle of the Spaceheads‘ jazz rave. So impressed was I with their show that I couldn’t resist another opportunity, perhaps just to prove it to myself that it really was THAT super-amazing.
As soon as we arrived at the Croft Farm in High Legh, I knew it wasn’t going to be an ordinary gig. As we approached the farm we were greeted by a peculiar arrangement of teddy bears embracing what appeared to be a sad-looking toy mermaid, guarded by a giant polar bear watching out for any dangers ahead.
The farm itself was organised into several festival areas, which included a disco hut, a bonfire area and a rather clandestine looking barn which contained a ping-pong table and pub benches decorated with beautifully arranged freshly-cut flowers. The wondrous orchard/veg garden was part of the setting, with a small band stand in the middle decorated with stylised pictures of Laika (first dog in space!), chairman Mao and Leon Theremin.
The main area contained two stages, closely assembled together and decorated with a splendidly random selection of items that included balloons, oddly shaped gourds, Berlin flag, wicker baskets hanging from the ceiling, plastic flowers, fairy lights, disco balls and a proud effigy of a goose. The backdrop had ‘For fuck’s sake’ written in the middle. Below it, read ‘What’s not to LOVE?’ Indeed. It was panning out to be a curious night…
After spending some time exploring the farm, we returned to the main barn to discover an excited crowd gathering around Paddy Steer dressed in the most devilishly daring manner: part medieval Russian glam rock tsar and part Halloween robot Frank Sidebottom. He masterfully manipulated a wild array of DIY synth contraptions, creating a chaotic cornucopia of sound spiced by the addition of voodoo looking dolls, bells and rattles. Like I said, not your average Saturday entertainment.
Finally Spaceheads took to the stage. Both Andy Diagram and Richard Harrison, aka Spaceheads, have long and illustrious musical pedigrees that include playing with the likes of James and Nico. However, aside from the testimony to their musical mastery and creative genius, their cosmic collaboration offers a striking visual element, delivering a 360 degree performance art project.
Focussing on the recent EP, Spaceheads’ set was accompanied by vintage visuals from Georges Méliès‘ ‘Trip to the Moon’ delivered by the most excellent Rucksack Cinema. Even though the size and configuration of the Croft Farm barn couldn’t deliver the kind of awe-inducing experience we got at Supernormal, the band gave us another incredible performance.
Andy Diagram’s trumpet adorned with a fish slice mobile phone attachment and Richard Harrison’s intense and dynamic drum beat created something wholly original, yet at the same time shockingly obvious. 
Why hasn’t anyone thoughts of mixing jazz, electronic dance and post rock before?! It’s erudite evocative music turned rave. It’s clever and provocative but you just can’t help dancing! As it was at Supernormal, most of the audience were suspended in a mixtures of disbelieve, bewilderment and elation. And I’m pretty sure there were no party chemicals involved.
Unfortunately, Spaceheads had to succumb to the demands of a noise curfew and make way for The Nightingales. As authentic and fierce The Nightingales were, after the full audio-visual spectacle of Spaceheads, they sounded somewhat anachronistic and – dare I say it – one-dimensional. They may been been round at the start of the punk revolution, were loved by John Peel and all the pre-requisite greats but, sadly, it all felt distinctly like a perfectly preserved example of original punk aesthetic channeled through wistful nostalgia and growing canonisation of the genre, which is pretty much the antithesis of punk.
Once again, Spaceheads were astronomically brilliant and a real highlight of the day. With precious few live appearances, they’re a rare treat so if you happen to be in London on 27 September, make sure you see them at Servants Jazz Quarters in Hackney.
For Spaceheads news and further live dates click here.
To hear some of Paddy Steer’s work click here.
To read our review of Supernormal festival here.
Photo credit: Mike Hughes
