Transglobal Underground
Hami’s house, West London
28th September 2019
House concerts are usually the domain of quiet, acoustic musicians rather than percussion-heavy electronica bands. But then, Transglobal Underground have never really taken the usual route. The group came to prominence in the early 90s as pioneers of world dubtronica and have stayed at the forefront of the scene ever since.
On a rainy September night, 20 fans – who had pledged in the band’s crowdfunding campaign in April – crammed themselves into TGU founder Hamid Mantu’s living room for a night of beats, bass and barminess. No quiet acoustics here.
Tonight, TGU were a five-piece, with keys, samples, electric sitar, spoken word and no fewer than three drummers (kit, tabla and darbuka), all put through a small PA. It was thoroughly antisocial in the best way, yet rarely has a club been so cosy. Lit by candlelight and fairylight, air perfumed with nag champa, and walls covered in records and TGU artefacts – the whole thing was a touch surreal.
The set was as special as the setting. Older repertoire that hadn’t been played live for years was featured alongside pieces so new they’d not even been named yet, together with extended spur-of-the-moment jams. They even took requests. To share such an intense evening with a small group in a tiny space is an incredible experience, and created a beautiful camaraderie between everyone involved, band and audience alike. On top of all that, there’s not many gigs where you can periodically switch from chilling on the settee to totally entranced four-limb dancing. What better way to see a genre-defining ensemble?
Photo: Transglobal Underground play in Hami's front room, by Simon Partington