Saul Williams @ Norwich Arts Centre
Captivating, educational and entertaining.
Saul Williams coming to play for us in Norwich felt like perfect timing. We’ve not had the best few days let’s be honest and that fact combined with a modest turnout and the downbeat Sunday night vibe meant there was a reserved, low key atmosphere before Saul hit the stage. A loud instrumental intro began as the big screen flickered into life for what would prove to be a multi-media show – constantly changing images reflecting the theme of his latest album MartyLoserKing, namely technology, how we use it, how it unites and divides, how the poorest nations can access unregulated tech, how we are manipulated by those in control. Very 2016 indeed.
I’d expected a serious night, and indeed it was, but Saul still wanted us to have fun – the semi-circle devoid of people in front of the stage was soon filled at his encouragement and after a slamming version of Grippo he was on the floor with us, surrounded by us and he launched into a powerful piece of poetry. Towards the end of the poem he pulled the mic away from his mouth and his voice still filled the hall. The barrier between us had been breached and the atmosphere started to get louder and more passionate. He stayed with us for a few more songs before returning to the stage. The screen had a constant stream of messages, slogans and lyrics – HACK INTO GOD. ARREST THE INNOCENT MAN. LOOK HOW THEY TREAT US. THE WRONG SHEPHERDS LEAD US. The music was a melting pot of styles, drawing mainly from hip hop, industrial, rock and dance. Nine Inch Nails and Young Fathers would be good reference points.
It’s a special thing to be in the hands of a confident artist, an artist that isn’t fazed by a small crowd who seem reluctant to commit. The message being put across wasn’t subtle, but perhaps the time for subtlety is over. Saul couldn’t help but laugh at the stupidity of the recent referendum, baffled by the result, it wasn’t us, it was them we thought. I suppose that would be my only criticism of an event like this, it’s always going to be the converted who are being preached to. After taking the roof off with rabble-rousing versions of Burundi and List Of Demands he returned for what would have been a final piece of performance poetry and perhaps another song. Instead an audience member interrupted his flow by choosing to try and have a conversation about a point he’d made. He did clarify his point, but it felt ever so slightly awkward and it meant the evening fizzled out rather than ending with the bang he had intended I’m sure.
The music was raucous and intense, the visuals always stimulating and by the midway point the audience were baying for more after each song. This quiet Sunday night crowd had cast aside our inhibitions and become a noisy, dancing mass, albeit a small one. For an hour Saul Williams demonstrated how something as simple as one man on stage with a few props can captivate, educate and entertain.
@StuPres
