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SXSW scene report: the Octopus Project’s “Hexadecagon”
“Hexadecagon” just might be the trippiest, most elaborate thing the Octopus Project have ever done, and that’s a very tall order.
Remember, this is the band that played an original score for a set of bizarre animated short films from across the world at the Alamo Drafthouse. And is known for bizarre video projections. And once coated an entire stage in aluminum foil.
But “Hexadecagon” is a whole other echelon of weirdness, almost Flaming Lipsian in its combination of whimsy, ambition and unexpectedness. Underneath a tent in the parking lot of Whole Foods, the Austin indietronica favorites set up shop on a stage surrounded on all sides by the audience, with eight speakers surrounding the band and audience and eight video projections (designed by Wiley Wiggins) on the tent above the crowd.
That meant actually seeing the band play was difficult unless you were very close to the center of the crowd, but seeing the band wasn’t the point — the idea was to look overhead as the music played, absorbing sound and imagery at the same time for a unique, multimedia experience. Images generally matched the tone — monochrome on the long, droning, space-y third song, but colorful and fast-moving on the fourth, pop-oriented tune (an anthem fit to compete with Octopus Project classics “Truck” and “Music Is Happiness”) . Recurring imagery ranged from ships to twin blond-haired girls to snow-capped mountains — an homage to “Snow Tip Cap Mountain” off “Hello Avalanche,” presumably?
The performance included five ethereal, intriguing new songs that bode well for future Octopus Project albums — although one has to wonder if, given the uniqueness of “Hexadecagon,” the Octopus Project may be mulling something more elaborate than just another album.
Either way, the vibes were good, the visuals compelling, and the show free and open to the public (although lines were long and many were unable to get in). Overall, surely a pretty good deal?
“You guys (expletive) rock,” cried an audience remember early on in the performance.
Right on, random Octopus Project fan. Right on.
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