Off Modern | Music-Exhibition Review

by Selina Makin

This month’s music and art collaboration night, Off Modern, was back in full force after a nine-week break and was clearly missed by the regular faces, who packed out Corsica Studios in Elephant and Castle.

On their 14th event, artists Daniel Swan and Lucy Stockton provided the exhibition, Memento Mori – Scene V.

Opening the door into a smoke-filled room combined with distorted sounds and two fluorescent tubes either side of a black coffin at the centre stage, the piece had an energy masked by the eerie, unknown future of death.

The spectator’s whole body was involved in this piece as the sounds and visuals were intensely effective, however my overall understanding of the scene wasn’t entirely clear.

Although some live acts were for an acquired taste – Fair Ohs, a barefooted indie-pop trio with Hawaiian beach sounds, started the night with their drunken private jokes between band members – still managed to get the crowd going.

By the end of their set, a girl managed to make her way onto the stage asking the Fair Ohs to “play something good” before dancing with them to their last song in a way which was not a good look for the band! MC BB Manik who, from what I could see, was just repeating the occasional lyrics of the DJspun songs, provided the interval between bands.

Thank goodness then for Nigerian afro-beat band, Kalakuta who saved the night with a refreshing performance of real music, using several distinctivesounding instruments that made for an amazing vibe.

The nine piece band packed out the main stage with their performance of earthy sounds preferring the use of good music to lyrics which were minimal and worked well as the crowd danced their way throughout their performance.

The DJs on duty that night played a great mix of songs, as always, from the classics to the more current genres of music favoured by this crowd.

Off Modern is a South East London night that students can’t go wrong with – a fair entry fee, cheap drinks (for London, that is) and it’s a gathering place for similar-minded people who regularly attend this monthly party.

Off Modern, Corsica Studios 4/5 Elephant Road, London, SE17 1LB

First Thursday of every month.

Free before 9pm, £5 after 9pm.