The experimental musician conjured a feverish swirl of prog & jazz in downtown San Diego
The forward-thinking experimental musician Geordie Greep came through the picturesque outdoor venue Quartyard in downtown San Diego this past weekend, delivering his feverish blend of prog and jazz to a hyped-up, sold-out crowd. For nearly two full hours, Greep, formerly the frontman of English avant rock titans Black Midi, performed a marathon session of his solo material, which he captured on last year’s brilliant debut solo LP The New Sound. Along with a stunning backing band who kept pace with him every step of the way, Greep re-wired the audience’s brain with a frantic, mind-melting fusion of lounge, jazz, and jam-tinged prog music that had the whole crowd on the tip-toes from start-to-finish.
Unlike Black Midi, whose devotion to sniper-like precision in their live shows made for an enthralling spectacle in its own way, there was an improvisational looseness to Greep’s set that kept the crowd guessing with every momentum-shifting detour. His backing band – which featured a keyboardist, two percussionists, and a guitarist and bassist – indulged Greep’s creative whims, adding and subtracting layers whenever each member saw fit, and unleashing solos and transitions in heady, unpredictable ways. And yet, Greep and company maintained a sort of flexible telepathic energy all the way through, as if they could read each other’s minds.
Every time he flashed his devious smile, you got the sense that Greep’s been having more fun now than he ever has in his already-legendary musical career. And the crowd, eager to bop and sway at every note and rhythm, was so locked-in and engaged that you could hear a pin drop during the set’s more sparse, meditative moments. In this next phase of his artistry, Greep continues to level up, and there’s truly no telling how high he climb – commercially or artistically. For now, we’re just happy to be along for the ride. You can scroll through the gallery below for all the highlights from a spectacular night in San Diego.
All Photos by Jeff Cubbison
