the antipodean collective

walking in late to a performance is not a favourite pastime
but in this case one must-see performance ended as another started
and with the temporary placement of the main stage (tent)
it was a bit of a hot-foot trip through town to this performance
happening in a hall normally next to the regular main venue
(which is currently under re-construction for next year)
the place was almost pitch black and so a gentle tip-toe to the front
found a spare chair (the advantages of gig attendance in solo mode)
then sat down to try and tune into what was coming from the stage
this was a sound like none ever before experienced live
primarily scott tinkler letting rip on trumpet
blasting out every possible noise he could make
mostly full throttled, screaming, stabs of sound
not a melody or any kind of form to be heard
other musos on stage similarly belting it out
now this was a challenge for any audience to take up
improvisation as raw, loud and confronting as it gets
the darkness of the hall and the acoustics adding to the mood
a relatively large audience up for the challenge and taking it in
my thinking that it's a good thing when a musician is so inventive
i'd not seen scott tinkler before but he comes with a reputation
regarded by some as the best trumpet player in the land
and admittedly what had drawn me to this performance
i'm not sure that his medium tonight was entirely embraced
but some vocal audience members whooping it up
for me i found the performance very demanding
in a positive way though as noise is a favourite genre
this performance on this night being a fine example
barely time though to dwell on it at it's conclusion
as it was another dash across town to the next show
gotta love this festival - eclectic performances plus...