PORTICO QUARTET
Fri 5 Mar
words: Tom Hartrey
The Portico Quartet have come a long way since their street busking days. After years of playing to minimal recognition across the pavements of Europe, critical acclaim finally reached them after a surprise nomination for 2008’s prestigious Mercury Music Prize.
Although not winning the award (despite bookies naming them a favourite), the instrumental four-piece have gone on to become an oft-dropped name among Britain’s experimental music set. Their distinct brand of post-jazz music has been praised for its minimalist ambience, creating mesmerising live performances with just a sax, double bass and drums. They have also gained interest for their frequent use of a Hang – a UFO-shaped percussion tool that’s relatively new to the music world – but don’t dismiss them as a novelty band. Just one listen to their 2007 LP Knee-Deep In The North Sea gives you an idea of the true magic these guys can conjure up when on stage.
Since the Mercurys they’ve performed pretty much everywhere as the country succumbs to their melodic charms. The quartet have also recorded the song Su-Bo’s Mental Meltdown along with nine other more conventionally-titled tracks for second album Isla, which also gained rave reviews by the music press. Playing in this intimate venue as part of the British leg of their European tour, the Portico Quartet will be bringing beautiful minimalist music to the South Wales masses this month.
Tickets: £8/£7 Valley Roots. Info: 01792 863722
