Venn Festival - 08july2008-bristol

An ideal start to today’s events, Tractor brings the noise with their early nineties-style hardcore, barbwire guitar, bolt-cutter Bass and structure-slamming drums. Appropriately mirrored by every catastrophe in human history (man made, of course) projected over them in glorious Technicolor, the two gel to form a grinding assault of the senses bordering on nauseating. Despite a less than welcome reception Tractor continue to crank out more angular slashes of anger that perhaps suggests the human form should wash his face in his own vomit and forcing himself to look in the mirror….and all with a charming smile their faces.

Emerging from the darkness, nostalgic crackles glisten from Philip Jeck’s phonographic turntables as he takes us on a rounded journey throughout sounds of ancient ruins right through to our impending catalysic future. The Master of collage and found-sound slowly eases all present  toward a uniquely isolated space, hurling flares of sunbeams and fluorescents out once our eyes have adapted to the dark.  It’s too unnerving for some prompting several to leave, but for those that persevere comes the majestic reward in the form of a colossal-sized crescendo. An extended version of ‘Fanfares’ opens its gates spilling volts of beauty out charging every nerve ending, fulfilling every dream, enriching every soul in one unworldly sensational symphonic rush. The luminescence suddenly fades and Jeck closes the lid on each of his turntables, capsulating yet another incredible display of mesmerising sonic exploration.



 Russian noise voyager Artamonova continues to steer her ship through improvised waters, with a set up of old samplers, live drums, thrift-store toys and e-bows.  Blessed with the ability of creating a unique array of structured noise from anything that generates sound, despite any traditional form of melody the set delves deep into a continual free-form focusing long and hard on the art of involving the audiences participation of thought and interpretation.  For now Artamonova appears content with simply allowing her machines to create their own noise, however it’s when she takes control of their output and channels her own obsessive passion through them that the noise will match her own fascinating vision.