Strange Therapy Showcase at Radial 19/9/26

A huge fan of industrial cyber punk and growing up in London frequenting Drum & Bass nights in my younger years I felt like I hit the jackpot on this night at Radial. There were angry musicians, broad sounding djs and lots of poetic screaming and muffled experimental sounds combined with atmospheric lighting. There were surprises with every set and each time I left and entered the room it looked different in someway. I wouldn't classify this as a rave or a club night but would describe it as an immersive art show.

A ten minute walk from Seven Sisters Station it took me a couple of attempts to find the venue. I've been told this is a really vibrant area for music and the first time the ethos of "follow the punk" or "follow the music" hasn't gone in my favour as I followed the punks and the music twice and ended up in two different locations on parrallel streets as there were multiple events happening in the surrounding warehouse spaces. I finally find where I need to be and there is an airport security like search at the entrance. Somebody who I met in the seating area described it as being "very european". They put a bit of masking tape over my phone camera and told me photos were not allowed. The other time I have experienced this was at Fabric and Kopi in Berlin so that part I understood. They did assure me there was a photographer there if I wanted photos of the night. After having conversations with other artsy type show goers that evening what they thought of their no camera policy we came up with a theory together. It was too tame to be for privacy reasons as there was not much debauchery going on however Radial calls themselves a "live music, performance and cultural events space". This was a stance on the growing conversation of the over use of phone activity whilst out at shows which they are trying to minimise. A quick glance on their website states "we believe music performance should be enjoyed in the moment. We therefore operate a no phones and no photography policy throughout the venue." Interesting.

In the outdoor seating area by the entrance there was a BBQ smoker and were serving food, I didn't have any but it did look delicious. There is a bar with red ambient lighting serving both alcoholic and non alcoholic Asahi beers and other drinks and a jug of water you can help yourself to. The venue was behind two glass doors and a curtain as if you are stepping into an art gallery. The room looked quite clinical and minimalist, as if you were stepping straight into a box you bought from Ikea with jazzy lighting. The backstage area was a labyrinth like sliding door at the back of the room with various interesting looking characters popping in and out throughout the night.

Remote Viewing had already started. There was an intense distorted muffled shouting into the microphone. My mind suddenly teleported me back in time to my first basement show in Montreal seven years prior, it felt good. "As you can tell we really need the money so please buy some of our merch" they stated whilst a random person in the audience then grabs the microphone and takes a turn screaming. The crowd shout "three more songs!" after they had finished but this was a packed night of live music and no time for encores.

I went to the seating area to get some air and came back in for Donna Harringway. It felt like I'd stepped into a completely different room with intense flashing lights, so much so that it was a bit disorientating and despite there being lots of room to move about it was very easy to bump into people as it wasn't easy to see where you were going. Definitely reminded me of being in a theme park on Halloween and expecting something scary to jump out at you. Donna Harringway expressed an anguished outcry with hints of electronic, emo and nu metal references. I concluded it was a cross between Static X and The Prodigy.

Next up was EX.SSES who experimented with layered sounds such as water trickling under heavy bass. Their set slowly became faster and more thumpy towards the end with broken repetitive electronic drums which was great to have a dance to. Next up was Iron Sight with forboding dark synths and drone sounds combined with harsh sharp anguished poetry and a very effective yet slightly jarring abrubt ending. Melas Zomoz entered the stage with a face covering that gave an air of mystery combining goth, industrial and noise into their DJ set. Last but not least New Flesh ended the night with electronic music.

As I walked out of the venue to find my way home I looked around me. I saw hints of foreign pastures I've been to in the past but on my doorstep in London which made me curious to explore further. I heard more music from across the street and a message from a friend "we're at a party close by if you want to come". I felt very content with my experience that night at Radial and realised I was not in my twenties any more and my feet hurt from all that dancing. Time to head home. As for the photos well, you will have to go and see it for yourself!