The Utopia Strong & Konformer @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024

As I headed off to Manchester for my thirtieth gig of the year, never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that I’d be watching six-time world snooker champion Steve Davis in a small venue. I had to pinch myself to believe it, but with The Utopia Strong doing a short run of northern gigs, off I went, not really knowing what to expect.

The Utopia Strong & Konformer @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024

The Yard in Cheetham Hill is another new venture for me, it’s a unique working environment designed for creative minds and it’s the space that was chosen by the promoter, Sprechen, for tonight’s joyous occasion. As soon as I walked in, I found Shaman Lee and right next to the merch table was the man himself. So having bought a t-shirt, I had a brief chat with Steve who told me that they basically play off the cuff, fully improvised music for an hour, which causes all sorts of problems for people like me who are reviewing the gig.

As we gabbed, DJs Jason Boardman and Small Press kept the chilled-out vibes going nicely, not too loud either, just background music, until German trio Konformer took to the stage. With flashing images on the screen behind them, the bass sound from Rainer Ruder was just incredible as they built up with a slow and groovy number. The keyboard/synthesizer sound from Kristian Krauß started to dominate the song as the tempo picked up pace.

Konformer @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards

Kristian announces ‘Good evening, we are Konformer from Germany, the first song was called Sebald, and this next one is called Reunion and it makes every part of your body just want to dance, what a song. The band play like it is a jam session as they make it look so easy and effortless. With simple drumming from Andreas Berg on the intro to Noris Noir, it leads to a song that feels quite dark but moves so well.

Next up was Bervfsverkehr which had a jazz feel to it, before Noris Blanc with a beautiful deep bass sound looping around and gentle stroking of the cymbals lead to the song doused in ‘70s prog with repetitive groove patterns. They wrap up their set with a song called Konformer with a heavy keys and drum intro before the bass comes booming in. They saved their best until the end as it was superb.

Konformer @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards

With the DJs playing in between, The Utopia Strong set up as the assembled masses got closer to the stage, waiting in anticipation. At 10.30pm, when most gigs are already finished, the improv begins. I genuinely didn’t know what to expect, but I hoped to hear some of the songs from their recently released BBC Sessions, but none was forthcoming as Michael J York got his bagpipes out and off the band go.

With Steve Davis sitting amidst his cables, knobs and flashing lights on his modulator sequencers, he acts like the cornerstone of the band by trying to keep it all together and in time, and being a trio with no drummer, his spherical wavelength navigator creates a backbone to carry the many different sounds and beats.

With Kavus Torabi playing his Indian hand pumped harmonium, he asks for the mic to go up a notch, and as the volume increases, his vocals go through various pedals and effects to give them a drone like choir sound. As the visuals are broadcast on the screen behind, Kavus stands on top of one of the speakers, like he is preaching a sermon while the crowd are transfixed.

The Utopia Strong @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards

The beauty of watching these three musicians live is how simple they make things look. They play a lot of trippy music with York’s Mother-32 Moog rig creating a plethora of wonderful synth sounds, some going through what sounded like an echo type effect, before he eventually brings out a diminutive Casio keyboard, getting it up close to the mic to add to wonderment to the sonics.

The vast array of instruments on display is something to behold, and with the dance beats pounding, Kavus starts to play his Jazzmaster guitar that sounds so beautiful as it goes through his box of tricks on the floor creating a synth like tone. York plays a Hulusi flute to generate a stunning drone and melody, before accompanying them with his homemade Turkish bagpipes, the delicious ambient textured loops leave the crowd in awe at what they are experiencing.

The Utopia Strong @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards

It is hard to describe what they sound like as you must see them live to appreciate the quality the three of them have. One aspect I loved is that you never knew what was coming next due to the improvised nature of the performance. And at times I don’t think they even know where things are going, but it sounded cohesive and truly mesmeric.

Little hand bells are wrung and chimed from York as a thunderous sound comes through the PA, which feels incredibly atmospheric in such a small room, yet it’s the simple repetitive beats that emanate from Steve that allow the other two to create something so poetic and appealing.

After a quick check of his phone from Steve, the beats begin to slow down and with one last drone on the microphone from Kavus, it comes to an end. They milk the applause as people rush to shake their hands and have selfies with them as the people inside The Yard tonight will never forget what they have witnessed. A true spectacle in every fashion. WOW!!

The Utopia Strong

The Utopia Strong @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
The Utopia Strong @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
The Utopia Strong @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
The Utopia Strong @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
The Utopia Strong @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
The Utopia Strong @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
The Utopia Strong @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
The Utopia Strong @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
The Utopia Strong @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
The Utopia Strong @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
The Utopia Strong @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
The Utopia Strong @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
The Utopia Strong @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
The Utopia Strong @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards

Konformer

Konformer @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
Konformer @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
Konformer @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
Konformer @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
Konformer @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
Konformer @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
Konformer @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
Konformer @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
Konformer @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
Konformer @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards
Konformer @ The Yard, Manchester, 6th September 2024 – Photo by Lee Edwards

Scribed by: Matthew Williams
Photos by: Lee Edwards