Oblivion Access with Faust, Beak>, and More…
Catching the musical collective Faust live has been on my bucket list ever since I was turned on to their German beats a couple decades back. After years of longing, an unexpected email from my bandleader Thor Harris presented an opportunity to play at the Oblivion Access fest in June. Little did I know that this festival would feature an incredible lineup, including Beak> led by the ridiculously talented Portishead drummer/producer Geoff Barrow. However, the cherry on top was discovering that Faust, the aforementioned iconic musical collective, would be headlining the triple bill (WHAT?!?!?!). This was an event that demanded my undivided attention, and I gladly cleared my calendar for it.
The Performance
The night of the show arrived, and we took the stage for an intimate performance, drawing the audience as close as possible to us. In typical Thor & Friends fashion, our set was a mix of delicate melodies and thunderous cacophony. But it was Beak> who truly stole the show, enchanting the crowd with lush vocal harmonies and stunning musical grandeur. Not only were they incredibly talented, but they were also genuinely kind individuals, seeking out members of our ensemble (including a giddy me) to express their love for our set. Backstage, I had the privilege of briefly chatting with the Faust members. Although starstruck, I managed to compose myself and avoid any embarrassing encounters (or so I hope). However, it was when Faust graced the stage that minds were truly blown away. Celebrating 50 years of creative prowess, their performance featured enigmatic scenes of silent humans engrossed in newspapers, unabashed Kraut Rock rhythms, and even a cement mixer positioned smack dab in the heart of the stage. It was an awe-inspiring spectacle, one of the most unforgettable shows I had witnessed in a long time. And to think, I had the honor of playing in front of such musical brilliance (pinch me now).
The Moment Brent became Starstruck
In my ridiculously blessed life, I’ve had my fair share of performing in the presence of renowned figures whom I deeply admired. Each time, I prided myself on keeping my composure while playing to those who are a not-small part of why I do what I do. However, when Bauhaus/Love and Rockets’ David J made an unexpected appearance in the crowd just after our set, all bets were off. My teenage self, who had listened to their music on constant rotation, was definitely taken aback. As he was already gathering a crowd of fanboys/fangirls, I decided to give him his space. I was simply relieved that I had seen him AFTER our performance rather than DURING out set, avoiding the risk of losing focus and turning into a nervous wreck.
David J gets up close and personal with the cement mixer (photo: David J)
The Aftermath
Without a doubt, this was one of the most exhilarating and enjoyable shows I had played in a very long time. It left me yearning for more musical adventures of this caliber. The experience of witnessing Faust's mesmerizing performance, sharing the stage with incredible talents like Beak>, and encountering idols like David J (not to mention bill-mates such as Butthole Surfers drummer King Coffey and Jarboe) reminded me why I fell in love with music in the first place. These are the moments that make all the hard work and dedication worthwhile, fueling my passion to create and perform with vigor.
Catching Faust live, playing alongside Beak>, and encountering musical idols in person made the Oblivion Access fest an extraordinary experience. The combination of mesmerizing performances, mind-bending creativity, and starstruck moments created memories that will undoubtedly stay with me for a lifetime. It's shows like these that serve as a reminder of the sheer power of music to inspire, captivate, and bring people together.
More of this, please!