All systems go!
Back in the early 90s System 7 were at the cutting edge of ambient techno with bands like The Orb. That this was being done by a certain Steve Hillage (alongside Girette Miquady), the prog rock guitar virtuoso and one time member of pixie touting Gong was all the more remarkable. Although they have collaborated with numerous other musicians along the way today it’s just the two of them as they take to the Ents 24 stage in front of a disappointingly small crowd.
They look a little odd up there on their own on a big stage with just Hillage’s guitar, keyboards, electronic gadgets and a laptop for company but they certainly make a big sound. The beats never let up from start to finish and they successfully get plenty of the crowd dancing along, many of whom seem to be relishing the opportunity to relive their youth. It has to be said that Hillage resembles one of the monkeys from the Basement Jaxx video as he constantly stares out into the crowd with his mouth open and head nodding but he frequently breaks into a smile and gives the crowd the thumbs up. Giraudy doesn’t seem to do a lot at times but plays her part in engaging the crowd well and it's smiles all round.
It’s repetitive but infectious (that’s ambient techno for you folks) and they get a real groove going. Hillage really is a master of his craft on both guitar and electronics and there is an all too infrequent glimpse of his guitar genius but when he does knock out the odd solo it’s clear that he can still cut it up there with the best of them. Their hour long set goes by all too quickly and it’s a shame that by the time they finish the crowd hasn’t grown too much. Those that are here however give them a rapturous and deserved reaction. I can’t help feeling though that I’d love to see Hillage come back and show us just why he was such a huge star in the 70s with a full on solo set. For now though System 7 will do just fine.