PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING | LIVE REVIEW
The Globe, Cardiff, Thurs 21 Nov
Cardiff’s Globe saw the dapper J Willgoose Esq and Wrigglesworth perform their banjo and synth-rich music before a bank of old school televisions – showing old public information films of long-gone scenes such as Spitfires and Edmund Hillary reaching the peak of Everest.
The Globe was packed side to side and from stage to bar with people of all ages. I met one person fortunate enough to get on the balcony and see the whole stage setup with the radio masts either side. He said that PSB’s live performances were reminiscent of Kraftwerk’s ‘Tour de France’ but with big drums. From my view (albeit blocked by 2 very tall gentlemen) there were definitely a few heads bobbing along to the rhythms throughout.
We found out from J Willgoose that the unique appeal of Public Service Broadcasting – or PSB for short – has grown organically from Edinburgh Fringe shows via ‘exceptional crowds’ at Glastonbury to sell-outs at London’s Forum.
Though music to films, such as the famous Night Mail, produces a mesmerising combination in a cosy venue like the Globe, you sense quickly that PSB succeed in an ironic take on this bygone era of one-way communication. For example there is no front man as such and they play crackly pre-recorded messages to the crowd such as “Hello Cardiff” and “How are you?”. J Willgoose Esq related how one student in Nottingham told him that PSB they were “the definition of post-modern”.
Using the past to inform the present was delivered nicely at this packed show and the post-modern took a step further with Mr B using his handheld camera to bring live feeds into the visuals. This show also included some of their new material; specially-commissioned by a group in northern Holland as part of the Explore the North Festival. Cardiff got a real sense that PSB love what they do and we all hope they come back to keep their Welsh fans happy as they progress to bigger venues.
words ALED SINGLETON
photo VILLUNDERLONDON / ZOE KLINCK
