Review – Iridium

Full disclosure: I’m not a big jazz fan. So much of it sounds the same to me. Maybe I’m getting older and having my musical tastes refine themselves, maybe it’s the group’s name (the most futuristic sounding element on the periodic table) or perhaps it’s the opening credits to Homeland, but I decided that this Fringe marks time for me to expose myself to some live jazz with Adelaide quartet: Iridium.

The local boys showcased their considerable talents and with the help of a few special guests, took an enthralled audience on a swinging tour of modern jazz and parts-surrounding. Together Iridium showed great versatility seamlessly shifting from funk to latin via some rock infused guitar and some sultry soul. The set started off slowly but shifted gears about half-way through and fuel injected some youth and vigour into the proceedings, building to the highlight for me: special guest vocalist Belle Benét (appearing separately with Beldium Soup). Benét’s clean, strong vocals lifted the mood from introspective toe-tapping to smooth communal head bopping.

With funk progressions unfurling like big sheets of silk and spicy latin movements expanding feverishly and breezing over the crowd, kept it pretty tight; displaying excellent rapport between the members. The boys sweated passion and talent, and over time they will develop stronger stage presences to more thoroughly engage their audiences.

In the modern digital age, Jazz kinda gets a bad rap sometimes. Perhaps it’s too intrinsically linked with the time and place of its genesis and rise to prevalence, so people don’t always have an open mind. But is that how you want to think? Don’t be that guy: see some quality local jazz with Iridium.