Bent Knee - Elsewhere Zone One, 5/18/23

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   Yesterday I finally got the chance to see one of modern prog's most exciting and evocative acts, Bent Knee, in the intimate environs of Elsewhere's small capacity Zone One room. The evening got off to a great start with the picks for incidental music between sets: Duster, Protomartyr, Slint, and multiple Guided By Voices cuts from across their two best LPs (Bee Thousand and Alien Lanes) among others got me in a good mood. This was soon followed by the first opener, Laura Wolf, who played and sang solo, running electronics and playing upright bass via an electric pickup and several effects pedals. She bent and looped her bass's melodies into unqiue forms as she plaintively poured her heart out before us. I'm excited for her upcoming debut EP.
The other opener was Childish Japes, a prog-adjacent four piece who likes to switch up their singers each project. Their main vocalist Dave Vives led them for all but one song, a fiery and charismatic frontman for a group that moves through moods like sailfish. The four played admirably and showed great humor and comradery. Late in their set they invited Bent Knee's own Courtney Swain to sing a cut in a pleasant surprise.

Soon Bent Knee took the low stage with their panoply of instruments and began an invigorating set. Chris Baum switched rapidly between his violin, guitar, and electronics as each song demanded, often almost strumming the former like a six string for the pizzicato parts. They charged through several pieces, always with high energy and perfect power. Swain of course was the biggest highlight with her devastating vocals, matched by her own mastery of her various instruments. Vince Welch showed his own multi-instrumental prowess, and Gavin Wallace-Ailsworth not only wowed on his drums but even switched to his own guitar in the main set's final cut. Us in the young crowd were awed at their live achievements. They finished on schedule with an explosive encore and bid us farewell.

I don't usually take photos let alone video when I go to shows, but since no professionals were in attendance I decided to try snapping some phone shots alongside some of the others who were right in front of the stage. Here's Laura Wolf:

Childish Japes, including setlist:

Bent Knee, early set:

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LearsFool Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: November 09 2014 Location: New York Status: Offline Points: 8642	Post Options Post Reply Quote LearsFool Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Topic: Bent Knee - Elsewhere Zone One, 5/18/23 Posted: May 19 2023 at 01:57
	Yesterday I finally got the chance to see one of modern prog's most exciting and evocative acts, Bent Knee, in the intimate environs of Elsewhere's small capacity Zone One room. The evening got off to a great start with the picks for incidental music between sets: Duster, Protomartyr, Slint, and multiple Guided By Voices cuts from across their two best LPs (Bee Thousand and Alien Lanes) among others got me in a good mood. This was soon followed by the first opener, Laura Wolf, who played and sang solo, running electronics and playing upright bass via an electric pickup and several effects pedals. She bent and looped her bass's melodies into unqiue forms as she plaintively poured her heart out before us. I'm excited for her upcoming debut EP. The other opener was Childish Japes, a prog-adjacent four piece who likes to switch up their singers each project. Their main vocalist Dave Vives led them for all but one song, a fiery and charismatic frontman for a group that moves through moods like sailfish. The four played admirably and showed great humor and comradery. Late in their set they invited Bent Knee's own Courtney Swain to sing a cut in a pleasant surprise. Soon Bent Knee took the low stage with their panoply of instruments and began an invigorating set. Chris Baum switched rapidly between his violin, guitar, and electronics as each song demanded, often almost strumming the former like a six string for the pizzicato parts. They charged through several pieces, always with high energy and perfect power. Swain of course was the biggest highlight with her devastating vocals, matched by her own mastery of her various instruments. Vince Welch showed his own multi-instrumental prowess, and Gavin Wallace-Ailsworth not only wowed on his drums but even switched to his own guitar in the main set's final cut. Us in the young crowd were awed at their live achievements. They finished on schedule with an explosive encore and bid us farewell. I don't usually take photos let alone video when I go to shows, but since no professionals were in attendance I decided to try snapping some phone shots alongside some of the others who were right in front of the stage. Here's Laura Wolf: Childish Japes, including setlist: Bent Knee, early set:


telefunk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Groupie Joined: January 15 2011 Location: The Restaurant at the End o Status: Offline Points: 108	Post Options Post Reply Quote telefunk Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May 20 2023 at 11:04
	I like a lot of their stuff. between Yes and Thinking Plague. In concert this must be mind blowing. Like when I saw Infinien.

Catcher10 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member VIP Member Joined: December 23 2009 Location: Emerald City Status: Offline Points: 17845	Post Options Post Reply Quote Catcher10 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: May 22 2023 at 10:32
	Saw Bent Knee several yrs ago and really liked their performance......Courtney has a powerful voice.