Another great night of film and music was had on board Theatreship, the floating arts centre, when shoegaze favourites Wasabi opened with a live set before the Shane Meadows film This Is England was shown; both very powerful, writes Michael Holland.
A young audience, many of whom weren’t around in the 90s to hear firsthand the same slow head-nod vibe that evolved in the shape of Portishead as a counter to Brit-Pop, visibly showed their head-nod appreciation, and audibly, with whoops and vigorous clapping. Wasabi recreated that sound, while adding their own grungey twist to it.
The band referenced contemporary bands and musicians (Slowdive, Fontaines D.C., Mansur Brown…), as their inspiration, which opened the door to an eclectic half hour of music that came off the stage at various tempos and volumes. Pola (vocals/guitar) alternating between trippy whispers and nightmare screams against the distorted guitar of Adi, and a thumping foundation laid down by Loui (drums) and Leo on bass.
The sound rippled like waves through the hold of the repurposed cargo boat.
Pretty much like the film that came next. This Is England, from 2006, follows 12-year-old Shaun trying to find his place in the world in 1983. And, like Wasabi, the film has peaks and troughs for Shaun and the skinhead gang he joins, in the ups and downs of being a teenager with a backdrop of far-right racism.
This Is England led to three TV series and the making of those young actors becoming stars. Wasabi has what it takes to have a similar journey to success.
The event was part of the Rip It Up collaboration between Theatreship, BFI, and Phase magazine.
Booking for further events: https://theatreship.co.uk/
