The Field

Having achieved a decent degree of success following the release of two epic albums, The Field lands in Bologna on a mild September evening. Despite the reputation built up through their live shows, the crowd at Estragon is decidedly sparse and listless; indeed, the concert will start more than an hour late.

The presence of a set-up that is, all things considered, that of a rock band makes the show quite different from what one might expect from an electronic artist. Bass and drums are the perfect glue holding together the whole tangle of electronic scaffolding. A bold choice, but a decidedly successful one, given that the crescendo of the tracks proves extraordinarily effective thanks in part to the support of such a substantial rhythm section. The drummer's solos on the skins lend an unmatched charge to the precise, surgical strikes of the drum machine, turning the whole thing into an atypical, thoroughly enjoyable dance mush.

Drawing with justified restraint from the two records released so far, the trio on stage delivers a non-stop jam session, poised between club spirit and rock vigour. Favouring the length of the tracks over their number proves a crucial factor in the performance: thanks to this, the pieces gain enormously, and the audience is able to savour every single shift in rhythm. Where the drummer lets loose with more or less seasoned-rocker gestures, the other two remain silent and shy, going about their dirty work without saying a word or interacting with the crowd. Their attitude mirrors the most banal of clichés about Nordic people: cold, detached, expressionless.

The setlist, so seamless and devoid of any real pauses (except for the final encore), reaches peaks of uncontainable pathos (“On The Ice” is an unforgettable moment), where the crowd breaks out into a more or less frenzied pogo, amid a riot of sweat and emotion.

An evening to remember for its genuine fun and the delightful demonstration of this artist's boundless abilities. A show not to be missed, for any kind of fan, whether a quiet listener standing off to the side or a fearsome dancefloor animal.

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