The former Cabaret Voltaire frontman began his support set on his past band material with a cover of ‘The Set Up’ from 1978 EP ‘Extended Play’, creating industrial squeaks, taps and clicks amongst a suspenseful synth drone throughout, with recent co-producer Benge on electronic drums.
Stephen Mallinder then played from his debut solo album, 1982’s ‘Pow-Wow’, with ‘Cool Down’: hard hitting drums and brassy synth that also echoed Benge’s recent work with headliner, Blancmange. He came up to date with his last studio album, ‘tick tick tick’, performing reverberating industrial track ‘Shock To The Body’, with computerised overlay and Cabs-style and robotised vocals.
He also played another track from the new album, the disco electronics of ‘Control’, finishing his 40-minute set on his second solo album, ‘Um Dada’, with ‘Working (You Are)’ – similar to Cabs’ ‘Kino’ – and ‘Colour’, featuring his unique, repeating gruff vocals and laser effects.
10/12/22: Stephen Mallinder + Benge @ Islington Assembly Hall, London.
Photos © E. Gabriel Edvy/Blackswitch Labs.
© Ayisha Khan.