The Invisible headline John Kennedy’s event in Tooting Tram and Social

XFM DJ John Kennedy has been curating his own showcase – The Remedy – for a while now, exposing some of the talented live bands this country has to offer. Last Friday, this particular event promised performances of the established and up and coming: Hejira, Public Service Broadcasting and The Invisible.

Hejira were the first to play in the magnificent venue which looks like it was once a fire station or old public baths. The bands sultry mix of soul and rock captivates the audience. At times you can hear them channelling the influence of the musical great Prince. Their single Gypsy of the Soul is just a teasing taste of what is to come from their debut album, which is due for release next year and produced by Matthew Herbert.

Public Service Broadcasting are a band steeped in quirky ideas in music and in presentation. This time without his accompanying drummer, multi-instrumentalist J Willgoose stands in his tweed jacket surrounded by his tools like a man drowning in his own hoard of equipment. To his right is a television and this is where the band are able to display their uniqueness. Rather than sing the band trigger footage from public information films, archive footage and propaganda material to their music. This truly makes for a great audible and visual experience for the viewer. This may perhaps be niche but the music is reminiscent of the Chemical Brothers in their 90s heyday.

Headlining were the musical trio of Dave Okume, Tom Herbert and Leo Taylor who make up The Invisible. The highly respected band, whose debut album was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2009, yet again gave their public an opportunity to see the industry pros at work. Their soulful and psychedelic take on music can only be described as breath taking and inspirational. Never before has the spiritual sense been so well transformed into the physical that, when listening, you are transported to an invisible parallel universe. That is the idea behind the name of the band and the intention has impressive results on the ears. Songs like Generational, Wings and Protection are not of this world.

It appears John Kennedy can boast great taste and still provide talent that is too good for the mainstream to take in.

Samuel Mensah

For further information about Hejira visit here, to find out more information about PSB visit here and for The Invisible here.

Watch the video for Wings here: