On May 9th, the Opera House in Toronto hosted an unforgettable performance by GoGo Penguin, the instrumental trio hailing from Manchester, England. Since 2013, Chris Illingworth (piano), Jon Scott (drums), and Nick Blacka (double bass) have been praised for their originality and inspiration in the music industry.
Jazz singer Melanie Charles opened the evening, captivating the audience with her soulful voice. Being a one person band for the evening , along with singing she played flute, piano and used backing tracks and a loop pedal. The near capacity crowd seemed to enjoy her performance.
As GoGo Penguin began their set, the room was filled with the jazz trio’s mesmerizing sound, beginning with “An Unbroken Thread of Awareness.” The group’s chemistry was undeniable, with Illingworth’s intricate piano playing complementing Blacka’s grooving bass lines and Scotts’s powerful drumming.
GoGo Penguin’s setlist was a masterful blend of their original compositions, including “Signal in the Noise,” “We May Not Stay,” “Glimmerings,” “Wave Decay,” “Lost In Thought”, “The Antidote Is in the Poison,” “Friday Film Special,” “Saturnine,” “Soon Comes Night,” “Everything Is Going to Be OK,” “Ascent,” “Murmuration,” “Transient State,” “Hopopono,” and “Protest.”
Despite the minor setback of the pedal on the grand piano breaking, causing a delay of about 20 minutes, GoGo Penguin remained professional and improvisational. This unplanned interlude allowed the audience to witness the trio’s skills of repairing a piano quickly.
As the night progressed, GoGo Penguin’s performance reached new heights with each song. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly their encore, consisting of “You’re Stronger Than You Think” and “Parasite.” The trio poured their hearts into these final songs, leaving the audience breathless and wanting more.
GoGo Penguin’s performance was a testament to their talent and musicianship. Their music was complex, thought-provoking, and emotive, leaving the audience in awe. The trio’s ability to seamlessly blend their individual styles and create a sound that was uniquely their own was truly remarkable.
As the crowd left the Opera House, there was a sense of collective elation and satisfaction. GoGo Penguin had once again proven why they are one of the most exciting and original bands in the world of instrumental music. Their performance was a true masterpiece, and one that will be remembered for years to come. They last played the Western New York area in 2018 at the Rochester Jazz Festival.
Talking to a GoGo Penguin Fan
After the concert, we had the opportunity to speak with a GoGo Penguin fan named Shari who was completely blown away by the performance. “Emotionally, the band’s music splits my mind into millions of pieces,” she shared. “In the moments of listening, I do not want anything, being in meditation synchronization with all the moments of the past and the future at once. Incredible energy. I am grateful to them”
It was clear that this Shari was moved by the music and had a deep appreciation for the trio’s unique sound. She went on to explain that they had been following GoGo Penguin for several years and had never seen them perform live before. “It was everything I hoped it would be and more,” she exclaimed. “Their music takes you on a journey, and you never want it to end.”
When asked about their favorite moment of the concert, the fan had a hard time choosing just one. “It’s hard to pick just one moment because the whole concert was incredible,” she said. “But I think the encore was definitely a highlight. ‘You’re Stronger Than You Think’ and ‘Parasite’ were the perfect way to end the show. I felt like I was part of something really special.”
As our conversation came to a close, it was evident that this GoGo Penguin fan had been deeply impacted by the concert. “I’m already looking forward to the next time they come to town,” she said. “Their music has a way of bringing people together and creating an unforgettable experience. I feel lucky to have been a part of it.”
GoGo Penguin’s music is a unique blend of break-beats, minimalist piano melodies, powerful basslines, and drums inspired by electronica, combined with anthemic riffs. They compose and perform together as a unit, resulting in a cohesive sound that is both powerful and mesmerizing. Their music draws from a wide range of influences, including electronica, trip-hop, jazz, rock, and classical music.
Music critics have praised GoGo Penguin’s sound, comparing it to other acclaimed artists such as Esbjörn Svensson Trio, Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, and Massive Attack. Additionally, they have been likened to renowned composers such as Brian Eno, as well as modern classical composers like Shostakovich and Debussy, or contemporary minimal music composers such as Philip Glass. These comparisons attest to the diverse range of influences that GoGo Penguin draws upon to create their unique sound.
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