Few DJs make an entrance like Flying Lotus, the musical moniker of experimental jazz and hip-hop producer Steven Ellison from Los Angeles. Dressed in a sharp suit and tie, he bounded on stage, berated a fan in the front row for filming on an iPad and then informed us we were all dead — a playful nod to his fifth album, You’re Dead!.
Having made his point, Ellison retreated into enigma behind large transparent screens, which featured 3D projections resembling a Doctor Who title sequence. The DJ could be glimpsed in the shadows operating his laptop thanks to illuminated glasses.
He remained hidden and bludgeoned us with bleary bass on Sultan’s Request and ominous beats on Coronus, The Terminator. In recognition of his record’s “celebration” of death, the stage was visited by a grim reaper who wandered in the crowd for selfies.
With psychedelic graphics appearing to burst from the body of Ellison, the stunning visuals which tended to upstage the tunes by an artist whose strength lies in inventive albums rather than club hits.
Ellison emerged from his hiding place to rap on Mighty Morphin’ Foreskin, though he was outclassed by pre-recorded hip-hop stars: Snoop Dogg over Dead Man’s Tetris and Kendrick Lamar on the jazz-rap of Never Catch Me.
Flying Lotus is apparently Thom Yorke’s favourite DJ but this audience’s confused reaction to his set had even Ellison admitting the evening felt “kinda tame”.
Latest music reviews
