REVIEW: THE GUNPOWDER PLOT IN:MOTION AT MOTION, BRISTOL (05/11/11)
After the undisputed success of last year’s debut Gunpowder Plot at Motion, Bristol, it once again formed the shopiece of this year’s In:Motion series.
Falling on Bonfire Night itself, which fell on a Saturday this year, the event was destined to be explosive and that’s exactly what it was. Hundreds of folk filled into the three rooms of Bristol’s own superclub Motion from 10pm until the early hours of the morning for an extravaganza (that word is wholly justified here see) of music, DJs, circus skills and of course…FIREWORKS!!!
Opening the musical arm of the night was Gentleman’s Dub Club whose dub-infused jazz loosened the bones and got people dancing. This paved the way perfectly for Birstol’s favourite two festival bands – Smerins Anti Social Club and Babyhead. Smerins absolutely smashed it, dressed in semi matching homemade tiger-themed costumes, they played their energetic signature swing with impressive skill.
They’d been teasing fans about a special guest on their Facebook page, linking to Dr Who feat. Tenor Fly. Nice subtle hint there guys! And low and behold, Tenor Fly took to the stage for a live version of that banging song. When beautiful vocalist Nuala Honan was introduced, the crowd went wild and we were about to see why. That girl’s vocals were heavenly, seductive and moreish. Loud, proud and most importantly (take note Florence) in tune!
The whole set was punctuated with some positively jaw dropping aerial stunts from the much-loved Circomedia lot. As various different ladies took to the high wires all eyes were up. Each started off slowly with some pretty tame twirls (still, don’t think any of us pissheads could ever manage them) before building into a massive, dramatic crescendo with them spinning at unimaginable speeds, round ropes and wires before coming to a standstill on the ground. A standstill, after spinning faster than a record on acid. Amazing. Hell, I’m all over the space if I go round a roundabout more than once!
Babyhead picked up the party baton after Smerins. Dressed in adult babygrows, leaving very little to the imagination in some instances, the troupe blasted through their wonderously chaotic hip hop, ska funk. These guys are all about the live experience and the brilliant pint sized lead singer commanded the stage like a Bristolian Beastie Boy.
The fireworks proved a standard fare of bangs and whooshes but drew most people outside for the spectable and definitely added something to the night. But it was some of the DJs (namely Gaz Mayall and John Stapleton) who really oiled this beast of a machine by spinning some dancefloor-friendly electronica, rockabilly and old time classics as well as some more recent bangers.
Shamefully, this was my first ever time at Motion (shame on me indeed) and it certainly won’t be my last. We’re fortunate to have a club space like this in the city and when they pull together programme as diverse and attractive as this year’s In:Motion offerings then it really should be applauded. See you back there on Saturday for Field Day Night then!
Words, photo and videos: Laura Williams
