Ulrich Schnauss @ NAC
Clean and crisp with plenty of bass.
The last time Ulrich Schnauss visited Norwich it was as part of a bill that also featured the Radiophonic Workshop and Public Service Broadcasting. Whilst the night as a whole was something genuinely memorable, Ulrich’s set did rather pass me by a bit, due to him being the first act on. It was therefore a good opportunity to really immerse myself in his own headline show on this Good Friday evening, even more so given visual artist Nat Urazmetova would be providing live images on the big screen.
There was a decent turnout but by no means the packed house I’d anticipated; by the time the main set began, however, it felt like we were ready to witness a proper show. I have to be honest and say that initially I wasn’t really able to get into it, as I was struck by what a curious phenomenon it is where we stand and stare at two people playing laptops who at no point acknowledge any reaction from the crowd. However after moving to a position much closer to the front the perfect union of music and visuals really began to take hold. Ambient and shoegaze are two words normally used to describe Ulrich’s music, and indeed two years ago the set was mostly ambient music, but this time we approached techno territory at times, insistent beats even inspiring some audience members to throw shapes. The sound quality was perfect – clean and crisp with plenty of bass, in fact electronic music does normally allow PA systems to really sound at their best. I could hear so many influences in the music – Meddle era Floyd, Hawkwind, Jean-Michel Jarre, Kraftwerk, progressive rock and of course Tangerine Dream, who Ulrich joined in 2014 in what would appear to be a perfect fit.
There’s no doubt that Nat’s visuals are key to the success of this live experience as she reacted to the music and provided an ever changing kaleidoscope of images that really allowed us to lose ourselves. Although the set was more or less one constant piece of music, there were brief moments between songs which allowed some really raucous cheers to ring out which helped to make this show seem truly live and not too reverential. When the set ended I feared we were done but to my genuine delight they came back and played two more songs sending the set into the 100 minute territory which completely sealed the deal for me.
This kind of electronic music can be sterile at times, serious even, and perhaps without visual accompaniment it may not have had the same impact. However, Ulrich and Nat put on a show that completely did their respective talents justice and by the time they took the final applause it really did seem they also had enjoyed a memorable night.
@StuPres
