Absolutely Free couldn't do simple if they tried. The art-rock trio — formerly of DD/MM/YYYY — kicked off the day's proceedings with polyrhythms, distorted samples, and a boatload of reverb for a captivatingly unique performance. Despite their relatively small size on the massive stage, they more than filled the space with their sound and passion; drummer-singers Moshe Rozenberg and Matt King were fantastic to watch as they hollered and pounded the skins with fervour (the third member of the trio, Mike Claxton, was also great on synths and bass, but was stoic in comparison).
With numbers that ranged from ambient to rock, the band brought an eclectic, off-kilter sensibility that acknowledged their weirdness without needlessly compromising it. From "Vision's," with vocals that recall Animal Collective's warped choirboy Panda Bear, to the glowing, synth-rock climax of "Beneath the Air," Absolutely Free cemented themselves as a band to watch as they inevitably move deeper into the festival's schedule in the years to come.
With numbers that ranged from ambient to rock, the band brought an eclectic, off-kilter sensibility that acknowledged their weirdness without needlessly compromising it. From "Vision's," with vocals that recall Animal Collective's warped choirboy Panda Bear, to the glowing, synth-rock climax of "Beneath the Air," Absolutely Free cemented themselves as a band to watch as they inevitably move deeper into the festival's schedule in the years to come.
