SBTRKT @ Virgin Mobile Corona Theatre

Presented by Electro | Osheaga

SBTRKT (pronounced "subtract"), also known as Aaron Jerome, was in Montreal on Thursday, October 30th at the Corona Theatre doing a DJ set and playing the piano. He was supported by two drummers, and one played the tambourine. Going for his usual anonymous look, SBTRKT wore an elusive ceremonial tribal mask (designed by "Hidden Place") representing the spiritual panther-esque animal featured on his albums.

SBTRKT played the most popular songs from his self-titled release SBTRKT from 2011, and the album had an electro, post-dub introspective feel and featured vocalist Sampha on many of the songs, adding an R&B layer to the music. His set at Corona Theatre included these tracks (without Sampha), but with an incorporated drum and bass effect, metaphorically telling the crowd to "dance, people, dance!" 

Dancing became difficult because he got pretty experimental with his set. At one point the music sounded demonic, like a soundtrack for an animal sacrifice. He also played tracks from his latest album, Wonder Where We Land. Many tracks in the album still feature Sampha, and have remnants from the SBTRKT album, but certain songs have exceptionally different elements. "New Dorp. New York" is a bit more pop/mod/dance, but interesting nonetheless.

The set had silent lulls between songs, and the performance was not fluid as a whole. The background images made up for the musical pauses, projecting random distorted facial figures and the "New Dorp. New York" music video that features the panther creature SBTRKT represents. The light show was exceptionally elaborate, and at one point a cloud filled the room and a shining beam of light cast overhead to entrance the whole audience.

The room also filled up with another type of smoke, as security kicked out many SBTRKT fans. Having fewer people there was actually a plus, as the Corona Theatre didn't have enough space in coat check so everyone's bags started hitting each other. The theatre is beautifully renaissance, the crowd however not as proper, throwing elbows like they were playing hockey. Overall, the show was entertaining but didn't reach my full expectations. Of course, everyone has alternative opinions, and one fan left the show saying, "this was the best live DJ set I've ever seen." Regardless of the reactions regarding SBTRKT's live shows, his albums without question never fail to impress.

-- DJ Misschief hosts Greedy Graffiti every Thursday at 2 PM EST on CJLO. Get jiggy through mind boggling free-formed expression!