Forget to mention I went to the Warp / London Sinfonetta night at Gateshead Sage where the Orchestra performed works by both experimental composers and Warp artists. As well as covering some incredible pieces by Steve Reich (a blissful piece for Marimbas and the evolving spinning magic of (I think) “Violin Phase”. Accompanying all the pieces played was the huge cinema screen behind them playing short films and promo pieces. John Cage’s “Metal Composition 1″ was accompanied by a Marilyn Manson-esque film and its scraping clanging built an interesting structure from dissonance, a little harder to get into but more rewarding was George Antheil’s “Ballet Mechanique” (http://www.antheil.org/) whose surrealist movie accompaniment and intense changes and grinding monotony reminded me of a day at work.

Plaid teamed up some Sinfonetta members to perform an amazing “Scope-e” in front of a short film of a wooden post being painted fault line style and chipped down to reveal new paint layers�looked better than I described it. But highlight of the show was one of the greatest most unexpected performances I have ever seen from Jamie Liddell. Performing an improv piece entitled Liddell Fiasco #8 he came onstage in a kimono and preceded to do some brief scatting, sample himself then sing along to and over it. He was funny, funky, insane and utterly involving. Next time he plays live anywhere near or far from you, get there. I’ll refund you if you are not entertained.

Unbeknownst to most of the audience we were treated to Chris Cunningham’s Rubber Johnny at the interval on the big screen. Epic bizarre disturbing stuff, check Stylus movie archives for a review. They showed a few more Rephlex / Warp promos but nothing else really lit up the audience like Johnny did. Ending the evening on a total high the Sinfonetta performed Polygon Window’s “Polygon Window” bringing waves of nostalgia for those heady days of early techno. The Orchestra brought the show to an end moving into the aisles with drums pounding out the songs remaining beats. It might sound like a cheesy idea done a million times buts it�s an experience you should see in the flesh