The Comet is Coming blast off from Somerset House
Tom Spargo
Monday, July 17, 2023
The jazztronica trio play what could be their final London show with a suitably interstellar blend of high-octane beats, synths and sax
The Comet is Coming are undoubtably one of the most innovative groups currently on the UK jazz scene. Comprised of tenor saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings, synth whiz Dan ‘Danalogue’ Leavers, and drummer Max ‘Betamax’ Hallett, the trio offer a thrilling blend of free jazz, funk, and electronica. Following the critical acclaim of their third album Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam in autumn 2022 and their subsequent successes at Glastonbury 2023, this gig at Somerset House was one of the most eagerly anticipated jazz events of the summer.
Hutchings was sublime throughout, playing with the emotional ferocity of Pharoah Sanders, the cosmic spirituality of John Coltrane, and the rugged aggression of Albert Ayler. Leading the trio with his chant-like percussive approach to improvisation, his tenor cut through the swirling mix of synths with laser-sharp clarity. The strong influence of free jazz, however, did not make The Comet is Coming inaccessible. Appealing equally to fun-loving festivalgoers and seasoned jazz aficionados, the trio struck a perfect balance between intensity, humour, seriousness, and danceability. Danalogue’s synths provided the eccentric energy of an extra-terrestrial EDM nightclub, and Betamax’s drumming sustained the rhythmic momentum through funky backbeats and wonky triplet polyrhythms.
The setlist was entirely comprised of original material from their most recent album and their 2019 masterpiece Trust in the Lifeforce of the Deep Mystery. Particular highlights were the feral opener ‘CODE’, the volcanic ‘Summon The Fire’, and the catastrophically beautiful ‘TECHNICOLOUR’. Each piece was accompanied by multicoloured strobe lights and psychedelic visuals from digital artist Daisy Dickinson that powerfully enhanced the otherworldly, transcendental dimensions of the music.
Sadly, this gig may be the last time they perform in London for a long while, following recent social media announcements of an upcoming split. Nevertheless, exciting times lie ahead for each of the bandmembers in their next musical ventures.