Cone of Confusion are Pushing the Boundaries of How We Hear Music – A Review of Their Show at Altar Bar, nipaluna/Hobart

In their maiden journey to lutruwita/Tasmania, Cone Of Confusion, who usually reside in Eora/Sydney, performed twice in the Southern city of nipaluna/Hobart.

On Friday night, March 31 the Psychedelic Space Jazz quintet made up of Chris Blundell (saxophone), Jack Garzonio (synth and keyboard), Rémi Marchand (guitar), Juan Carlos Negrete Lopez (drumkit) and Jay Woo (bass) took to the stage at Altar bar. 

As well as maintaining the aforementioned instrumentation arrangement, guitarist Rémi Marchand  incorporated unconventional instruments and vocals to accompany the ubiquitous experimentation that is Cone Of Confusion. 

Adorned in mostly black and decorated with different configurations of the moon, the band shared their transcendental and hypnotic take on jazz to an eager audience. Ebbing and flowing between playing songs from their most recently released album Hominid and deeply entrancing sections of improvisation, they had the crowd locked in to a collective sway.

As mesmerising as the moon on a clear autumn night, the band warmed up into their unique sound that at times drew parallels with Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side Of The Moon, John Frusciante’s Empyrean and Funkadelic’s Maggot Brain all the while maintaining their own authentic style of jazz. 

Supporting Cone of Confusion were the polished yet vivacious Glitchcraft, who, despite reducing their drumming output by 50 per cent, produced an infectious set that stayed true to their genre-bending musical style. In their unmistakable way, Robin Gapski (lead guitar) incorporated his improvised solos that would be honoured by the rock legends of the 70s, whilst Joel Barker (drums) drove the remaining band members in and out of their undulating sound with his signature virile pizazz and finesse. 

Filling out the rest of the stacked lineup were local band Philomath and their distinct style of art rock— – a blend of windswept vocals and enchanting instrumental arrangements. 

For Cone Of Confusion, a band that has only been releasing music for four years, the future looks to be illuminated by the emergence of what should be a bright future in thea music scene across Australia, and even globally. 

So, stay tuned for what will be the many cycles of this emerging band for whom the possibilities of sound far outreach the genre of classical jazz music.

Deluxe Deluxe At The Spiegeltent

“So good” and “so fun” were the exclamations I heard as I left this year’s headline show, Deluxe Deluxe at the Spiegeltent. It was a lovely opening night, and I have to agree with my fellow audience members: it was good and it was fun, although it was a little strange at times. I thoroughly enjoyed myself as I believe everyone did.

The show is advertised as an ‘adults-only night,’ and that it was. The whole thing was a stunningly entertaining and comedic evening of hula hoops, scantily-dressed acrobats and a barrage of alcohol and drug references interspersed with a lot of sexual innuendo. It is not a show you would bring kids to. Deluxe Deluxe is a night of lingerie-clad ladies whose flexibility and aerial prowess would make a little old lady blush, and sassy men in stripper heels with pole and dancing skills to rival even the most talented of Vegas club ladies. The close quarters aren’t the only things at the Speigletent to make you hot. 

The so-called “Host with the Most,” Scot Nery, never took himself too seriously and had the audience laughing and clapping every time he took the stage, while the lovely Laura Hughes serenaded furries with her sensual singing. Other acts had both the men and women shifting in their seats, or laughing with the occasional whoop from the front rows. Deluxe Deluxe is a show worth seeing, although the strange and talented performers had me feeling a tad like I was joining them in a drug-induced sexual trip. An acrobatic cabaret that is definitely worth saying twice, it certainly lives up to the high standards set by previous headliners at the Spiegeltent.

Photo: Spiegeltent