Live Review: Ratatat, Black Cab

The dark, brooding vocals of Andrew Coates layer over electronica and a disco beat. This is the all-encompassing sound of Black Cab. The trio have been making their 1970s-inspired, drone-kissed electronic music for over ten years and four albums, but for many this would have been an introduction to them. The hour-long set contained barely any chances to applaud; the music was constant, but it was quality and worth hearing even if there was very little to look at.

There was a fair wait for the main act, and the crowd energy was palpable, bar lines were long and every pause between filler song came with an anticipative cheer. Finally, just past 10pm, the unassuming pair — Evan Mast and Mike Stroud — known as Ratatat took to the stage. Their music, however, is anything but.

They burst out of the blocks with Pricks Of Brightness. By the end of this track we had an idea of what to expect: an absorbing technical light display and loud-as-fuck music. The wall of light and sound gave a visual accompaniment to the aural orgy that we were treated to for a solid 90 minutes.

The projections, rotating between collages of birds, exploding watermelons, shattering statues or hypnotic illusions continually displayed behind the band and matched every song — differently, yet perfectly — and then there were the lasers!

Stroud's shredding on the guitar was a wonder to behold. Rock poses, fists in the air and frenetic keyboard playing replaced the need for banter. No more than six words were uttered throughout the show. The music did the talking.

The sold-out Metro crowd was more expressive than usual and popped loudly to every song, especially newbies, Cream On Chrome and Abrasive. An encore of Gettysburg and Shempi saw the duo belting floor toms with intensity and the crowd departed to dream of birds and tinnitus.