Twas the weekend before Christmas … and there was a strange lull over Melbourne.  The night found me crossing town, from the city to Fitzroy, Richmond to Prahan, Collingwood and back again.  Streets and bars were peculiarly silent after a exhausting, scorching day.  The Corner Hotel band room proved a cool dark haven, with its aircon running double time, but still (seemingly like everywhere across Melbourne that night) a good third of capacity at peak hour.  Nevertheless, this seemed a fair coup for the debut of Signal – a welcome new touring brand for daringly experimental live electronica.  Presented by Melbourne’s most discerning tastemakers (Stable, Substrata, Qube Konstrukt and Slap Records), Signal events are bravely billed to feature not only international IDM superstars, but local live glitch headliners in their own right.

Other commitments had me sadly running too late to catch the first of said local headliners – Qua.  Sweet strains welcomed me into the dark vault of the Corner, but then ‘twas over.  Next time …

Mark Harwood filled the void between set ups.  I’ve always enjoyed the various configurations of the Corner bandroom as allowing a fairly seamless switch between acts.  This occasion was no exception, with the DJ console placed off stage to the side and 2 on-stage set ups.  Those awkward delays and technical glitches which tend to come hand in hand with analogue / semi-analogue performances were mercifully side-stepped.

Next to catch my attention (and retain it throughout), were the seriously impressive visuals – given equal status as the artists taking up a huge projection screen angled stage right.  This featured graphic, mathematical symmetries during the precision of Cambion and trippy, more colourful, organic images during the fun of Phoenecia.  The bill credits Shinobe for some of the best visuals I’ve seen since Massive Attack, Underworld, Kraftwerk and Cornelius – a refreshing accompaniment to a genre that can be a little inactive in its live manifestation.

Not that this criticism could be levelled at Cambion.  Positioned right in the line of fire of the visuals, Aaron Quick resisted the convenience of a seated performance and lurked between PC and gear, retaining an intense and dynamic presence.  Timing and taste underlay a set which progressed from the delicacy of ‘another small rocking chair’ (The Source of All Shame), through his chopping and changing oeuvre of soon-to-be-released material to pure breakcore madness (including doing something very right to a very wrong ‘Faithless’ track).  Relatively unknown to many local punters, the reaction was pure amazement of the jaw-dropped variety.  Let us hope to see him again in a venue of fitting size and sound quality.

Phoenecia’s Brisbane gig reputedly involved the pair ‘browning out’ their very own equipment.  Replacement gear was found for Melbourne, although the set seemed minimally dogged with technical issues (guessing from the head shaking going on).  Positioned slightly less effectively than Cambion, Romulo Del Castillo and Josh Kay and their larger set up were around stage centre – less accessible, but perhaps necessary given the angle of the visuals.  This was possibly fitting – whatever the auditory output of Phoenecia, visually we were necessarily back to 2 guys behind their laptops.  Comes with the territory in most cases.  I’m admittedly more familiar with Phoenecia’s more soundscapey work and wasn’t sure what to expect of them live.  Possibly something dancey and noisey – their 2003 Sonar set is legendary.  While the set certainly contained more lively snap, crackle and pop than Brown Out, it was more subtle and steady than anticipated, demanding close attention to the waves and development of sound, certainly less “ravey” than the reputation of their previous Soul Oddity incarnation.  Initially I found it difficult and slow after the energy and white brilliance of Cambion, but enjoyed the listening party vibe and moments of exception which I half-wished were explored just a little further.

1ish marked an early end to proceedings, as Dave Pham wrapped things up noisily.  Vinyl and Designer Republic designed Schematic tees were a bonus surprise at the door.  Congratulations are due to the crew behind Signal, for the courage to commence such events (Melbourne is ready) and the slick design, promotion and concept underlying the events.  We stay tuned for 2005.