Former Black Midi frontman, Geordie Greep, joined this year’s SXSW music lineup as part of the program organized by the British Music Embassy. Joined by UK jazz collective Knats, Greep delivered organized chaos in its purest form.
Playing songs from his 2024 album, The New Sound, Greep achieved kaleidoscopic soundscapes through unique genre fusions, eccentric vocals, and an unpredictable wall of sound.
The latin influence of a song like “Terra” contrasts the paranoia-ridden soundscapes of “Blues.” On each song, Greep sounds like a madman on the microphone. Greep’s eccentric vocal delivery walks a fine line between spoken-word and unhinged yelping. This performance style helps to enhance the intensity of lyrics like “Have you ever seen a man boiled alive?” on “Through a War.”
I was incredibly impressed by the musicianship of the backing band. Knats expands upon the soundscapes of Greep’s studio recordings with incredible energy. An assortment of trumpet, bass, keys, and drums helped to bring to life the frenetic nature of every song. Greep was feverishly shredding away on the guitar. I have seen few guitarists with as much dexterity as Greep resulting in some of the best guitar playing I’ve ever seen.
Seeing Geordie Greep live is the sonic embodiment of a psychedelic trip fueled by Jazz-influenced Rock. As each song played, I found the instrumentation was pulsing through my veins as each instrument took on a singing voice of its own. Nothing can quite prepare you for what you are about to experience if you choose to see Greep live.